Parallel kinematic mechanisms with decoupled rotational motions

ABSTRACT

A parallel kinematic mechanism apparatus includes a frame, a handle and an input joint that connects having at least two independent and functionally parallel paths for transmission of motion coupling the handle to the frame. A first path includes a first intermediate body connected to the frame by a first connector and to the handle by a third connector while the second path that is independent from the first path includes a second intermediate body that is connected to the frame by a second connector and to the handle by a fourth connector. The first connector and the fourth connector both allow rotation in a first rotational direction and restrict rotation in a second rotational direction and the second and third connectors allow rotation in the second rotational direction and restrict rotation in the first rotational direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/054,068, filed Feb. 25, 2016, titled “PARALLEL KINEMATIC MECHANISMSWITH DECOUPLED ROTATIONAL MOTIONS,” now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2016/0256232, which is herein incorporated by referencein its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the sameextent as if each individual publication or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This invention relates to a minimal access tool, such as for surgery,endoscopy, or other interventions.

BACKGROUND

Devices, including minimally invasive surgical tools, may be controlledby controlling the motion of multiple rigid bodies forming the device.In machines, mechanisms, robots, etc., multiple rigid bodies are ofteninter-connected such that one body (body 1) has certain motions ordegrees of freedom (DoF) with respect to another body (body 2). Thesemotions or degrees of freedom may be accomplished in one of two ways:via serial design (also known as serial kinematic design, serialkinematic chain, and/or serial kinematic mechanism) or via paralleldesign (also known as parallel kinematic design, parallel kinematicchain, and/or parallel kinematic mechanism).

As used herein, “Degrees of Freedom” (DoF) is a technical term to convey“motions” in an abstract technical and academic sense. In all, there aresix independent degrees of freedom possible between two rigid bodies:three translations and three rotations. A joint will allow anywherebetween zero and six DoF between the two bodies. For the case when thejoint allows zero DoF, this effectively becomes a “fixed joint” wherethe two bodies are rigidly fused or connected or attached to each other.From a kinematic sense, the two bodies are one and the same. For thecase when the joint allows all six DoF, this effectively means thatthere is no joint, or that the joint really does not constrain anymotions between the two bodies. Any practical joint or mechanism allows1, or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5 DoF between two rigid bodies. If it allows oneDoF, then the remaining 5 possible motions are constrained by the joint.If it allows two DoF, then the remaining 4 possible motions areconstrained by the joint, etc.

The technical term “kinematics” may refer to the geometric study anddescription of motion of bodies relative to other bodies. FIGS. 22A and24 show the difference between a serial kinematic mechanism and aparallel kinematic mechanism. An abstract representation of a serialkinematic mechanism is shown in FIG. 22A, in which body 1 is connectedto body 2 via a serial chain of intermediate bodies. If one traces orscribbles a line from body 1 to body 2, there is only one mechanicalpath (or line) of motion transmission, which makes this a serial design.

Like body 1 and body 2, the intermediate bodies are also rigid, for allpractical purposes (nothing ever is perfectly rigid and sometimes somecompliance may be intentional). The connectors are simple or complexjoints that may allow certain motions and constrain other motions. Forconvenience, the terms joint and connector may be used interchangeably.Examples of a connector 2305 would be a simple pivot joint (FIG. 23),also known as a hinge, where the pin 2305 would be the connector betweenthe two bodies 2301, 2303 that are pivoted with respect to each other. Ahinge with a pin 2305 connecting the two bodies is one example; theintermediate bodies 2301, 2303 may be connected to the objects that arepivoted relative to each other.

A simple joint such as the one shown in FIG. 23 may allow one rotationalDoF and constrains the remaining five. Another example would be aprismatic or sliding joint that allows one translational DoF andconstrains the remaining five. Another example would be a ball andsocket joint that allows three rotational DoF and constrains theremaining three. Alternatively, the connector could be a flexure jointsuch as a living hinge. These are only a few examples of connectors thatare simple joints. In any of these, there are two bodies and someconnector in between.

Any mechanism, for example, the serial kinematic mechanism of FIG. 22A,may be part of a larger device, machine, or even mechanism. As shown inFIG. 22B, the serial kinematic mechanism of FIG. 22A is shown to bebetween two tabs 2201, 2203. But the first tab 2201 may be fused withbody 1 (and therefore first tab and body 1 are one and the same), andthe second tab 2203 may be fused with body 2 (and therefore second taband body 2 are one and the same). Body 1 and body 2 can be part of alarger tool, device, machine, or any other mechanism. In that case, theentire mechanism between tabs 2201 and 2203 may be thought of as acomplex joint in the large device, machine, or mechanism.

FIG. 24 shows an abstract representation of a parallel kinematicmechanism. In this example, body 1 is connected to body 2 via multipleindependent chains of intermediate bodies. Each such chain represents amechanical path of motion transmission. If one traces possible linesfrom body 1 to body 2, there is more than one mechanical path, whichmakes this a parallel design. The connection paths are not parallel in ageometric sense (e.g. two straight lines being parallel such as theopposing sides of a rectangle), but parallel in the kinematic sense,which implies multiple (more than one), independent, non-overlappingchains or paths between body 1 and body 2. The connectors here aresimple or complex joints that may allow certain motions and constrainother motions. For convenience, the term joint and connector may be usedinterchangeably.

Thus, serial and parallel kinematic mechanisms differ in the number ofpossible connection paths (intermediate rigid members separated byjoints) between two tabs or rigid bodies. Although the individualconnectors or joints in serial and parallel kinematic mechanisms aresimilar, their arrangements (linkage, chains, etc.) are different.

Any mechanism, for example, the parallel kinematic mechanism of FIG. 24,may be part of a larger device, machine, or even mechanism. In thatcase, the entire mechanism between body 1 and body 2 may be thought ofas a connector or complex joint, as shown as “New Connector” in FIG. 25.

Even though a mechanism generally comprises multiple joints, there is acertain equivalence between the terms “mechanism” and “joint”. Both mayrefer to an apparatus that allows certain motions or DoF between twobodies and constrains the remaining DoFs. While a joint may be used torefer to a simpler construction, a mechanism may refer to a more complexconstruction (e.g., which may comprise multiple joints).

Refer to FIG. 25, which is an alternative reproduction of FIG. 24.Everything that lies between body 1 and body 2 (all the intermediatebodies and connectors) may be viewed as a black-box and be termed as one“new” connector or complex joint. Thus, what was viewed as a mechanismin FIG. 24 may also be equivalently viewed as a connector or complexjoint in FIG. 25. By the same token, any connector shown in themechanism of FIG. 22A or FIG. 24 may be a simple joint (such aspivot/pin joint or a prismatic/sliding joint) but can also be a morecomplex joint or a mechanism in itself.

One example of a serial kinematic mechanism is a universal joint, whichmay include a rigid body, a pin joint, another rigid body, a second pinjoint, and a third rigid body. This entire mechanism (comprising all itsrigid bodies and joints) is referred to as a “universal” joint. As usedherein, a “joint” refers to a mechanical connection that allows motionsas opposed to a fixed joint (such as welded, bolted, screwed, or gluedjoint). In the latter case, the two bodies become fused with each otherand are considered one and the same in the kinematic sense (becausethere is no relative motion allowed). However, when we refer to “joint”in this document, we mean a connection that allows certain motions, e.g.pin (e.g., hinge) joint, a pivot joint, a universal joint, a ball andsocket joint, etc. Thus the referenced joint may interface one body withanother in a kinematic sense. Yet another academic term for “joint” is“constraint”. Thus, a “connector” or “joint” or “mechanism” or“constraint” allows certain motions or degrees of freedom between tworigid bodies and constrains the rest.

The particular motions that are constrained are also motions that can betransmitted from one rigid body to the other rigid body. That is becausesince the joint does not allow that particular motion between the twobodies, if one body moves in the constrained direction, it drives alongwith it the other rigid body as well along that direction. In otherwords, that particular motion is transmitted from one rigid body toanother.

One application area where parallel kinematic mechanisms may be usedincludes instruments for minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasivesurgical (MIS) and other minimal access procedures are increasing infrequency and becoming more complex, thus demanding improvements intechnology to meet the needs of surgeons. In these procedures, generallythin tools are inserted into the body through ports such as trocars orcannulas, which require only small incisions. Motion input from theuser, such as a surgeon, is transferred via the tool to the motion of amanipulator or end effector attached to the tool's tip inside thepatient's body. This arrangement is used to carry out an operationwithin the body with the end effector that is controlled from outsidethe body by a surgeon. This eliminates the need for making largeincisions. MIS tools range from simple scissor-like tools to complexrobotic systems.

Most traditional tools for use in MIS are mechanical and hand-held, andprovide four degrees of freedom (DoF) (three translations and one rollrotation) plus grasping at the end effector, while some newer onesfurther add up to two DoF (pitch and yaw rotations). These mechanicalhand-held tools are inherently capable of force feedback, in general.The traditional mechanical tools are difficult to use because of theirlack of dexterity (i.e. the yaw and pitch rotational DoF). While thenewer tools are capable of enhanced dexterity given their extra two DoF,they present non-intuitive DoF control (input motion to output motionmapping) schemes that limit user's ability to fully exploit the tool'senhanced dexterity capability. With robotic tools, the user intuitivecontrol over the dexterity of a tool tip manipulator, the use ofelectromechanical actuators to produce motion of the tool tipmanipulator takes away the mechanical force feedback. In addition, largesize, high cost, and limited large-scale maneuverability also reduce theoverall functionality of such robotic systems.

Therefore, most existing multiple DoF tools lack the designcharacteristics to allow for enhanced dexterity as well as desiredfunctionality in a cost effective, compact package. In particular,multiple DoF tools that allow for wrist-like rotations of the tool tipmanipulator are important to meet the needs of modern minimal access andMIS procedures, but are not effective unless comfortable, ergonomic, andintuitive control of these additional DoF are ensured.

Examples of serial kinematic mechanisms used in minimally invasivesurgical tools may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,436 to Storz (showingan input joint between a handle and a frame connected by a serialkinematic mechanism) and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,454,268 to Toshiba (alsoshowing a medical device with an input joint between a handle and aframe). In both cases, the input joint is a serial kinematic mechanism.The robotic surgical system shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,714,839 describes aserial kinematic mechanism as the input joint between a handle and aframe. As used herein a handle is any manual interface (e.g., forfingers, wrist, palm, etc.) and is not limited to controls that are heldin the hand. In some of these devices, the frame may refer to a shaft,e.g., tool shaft or an extension of the tool shaft.

In the above cases, the frame is a mechanical reference or a “localground”. It is not necessarily an absolute ground (i.e. attached orbolted to the actual ground). Rather, the frame serves a mechanicalreference or local ground for the handle. In the kinematic sense, onemay be interested in the motions or DoF of the handle with respect tothe frame, and therefore the frame serves as a mechanical reference.Similarly, handle is to be understood in a generic sense, not simply assomething to be “held” in the hand; handle could be something thatinterfaces with the hand, e.g., the fingers, thumb, etc. . . . .

In the examples listed above, the handle has at least two rotational DoF(pitch and yaw rotations) with respect to the frame, provided by theinput joint. One challenge of using a serial kinematic mechanism designas the input joint of a surgical tool or machine or device is that oftransmitting the two rotational DoF from the input joint to anotherlocation on the tool or machine or device. For example, the device ofU.S. Pat. No. 5,908,436 to Storz or the device of U.S. Pat. No.7,454,268 to Toshiba has a serial kinematic mechanism as the input jointthat provides the handle with two rotational DoFs (pitch and yawrotations) with respect to the frame. These two DoF are accomplished viaa serial kinematic arrangement of two pivot joints with orthogonalrotational axes. In a practical application the handle may be driven bya hand and the two resulting rotations will be available at two pivotjoints. While the axis of one pivot joint (i.e. the first axis) is fixedwith respect to the frame, the axis of the second pivot joint (i.e. thesecond axis) is not. Because of the serial kinematic arrangement, thesecond axis itself rotates with respect to the frame about the firstaxis. For the tool, device, or machine to be useful, it is generallydesirable or required that the two rotations of the input joint becapture and transmitted (in some cases mechanically) to an end effector(such as a grasper, etc.) at some other location on the tool, device, ormachine.

In this case, one can capture the rotation about the first axisrelatively easily (e.g., by mounting a pulley at this particular pivotjoint), or mounting a gear at this pivot joint location that wouldrotate with respect to frame about the first axis; the resulting axis ofrotation of the gear will remain fixed with respect to the frame servingas its ground. This facilitates a variety of mechanical transmissionmethods/systems to transmit the rotation about first axis to a remotelylocated end effector which all operate with respect to the same groundreference frame. Unfortunately, since the second axis itself rotateswith respect to the frame about the first axis, it does not remainpractical or easy to transmit the second rotation to a remote endeffector on the frame. Doing so would require designing and constructinga transmission across a moving interface or pivot joint, the first pivotjoint in this case. Designing and building a transmission across anymoving interface/joint is non-trivial, and adds significant complexity,cost, and the potential for failure. These are some of the biggestlimitations of a multi-DoF serial kinematic mechanism design. One way ofovercoming the above challenges is to use an electronic transmissionrather than mechanical transmission, similar to how a joy-stick (aninput interface to many computer controlled tools/devices/machines)works. Instead of mounting a pulley (or other mechanical means fortransmission) at the pivot joints in the serial kinematic mechanism, apotentiometer or optical encoder, or any other rotary motion sensor, maybe included at the first and second pivot joints. A rotary motion sensorwould transduce the rotational motion into an electrical signal with aknown relationship between the two. In this case, the entire body of therotary sensor mounted at the second pivot joint may also rotate aboutthe first axis, but that is not a problem because the rotationinformation captured by this sensor in the form of an electric signalcan be communicated wirelessly or via wires to a computer or otherelectronic hardware. Wireless does not require any physical transmissioncomponents, and so the drawback of the serial kinematic mechanismsdescribed above are no longer relevant. When using wires forelectrically transmitting the electric signals generated by the rotarysensor, one simply needs to manage the wire/cables routing across themoving interface/joint (first pivot joint in this case) which iscommonly done. Wires can be miniaturized, folded, insulated, and routedin many creative ways that are practical and cost-effective. As a resultserial kinematic mechanisms are common input joints or input interfacesfor various computer or electronics based devices, but are somewhatchallenging for purely mechanical devices.

One can make a similar argument for when a serial kinematic design isused as an output mechanism or output joint of a tool or machine ordevice. In this arrangement it is important to determine how to transmitpower or motion from the frame i.e. reference ground, where it isavailable, to the mechanism output i.e. handle and route it through aserial kinematic chain, where components or links move with respect toeach other. To do this mechanically is very complicated, challenging,and generally impractical. Instead, one can route the power electricallyvia cables, or hydraulically/pneumatically via hoses routed to thevarious motors/actuators at each joint in the serial kinematicmechanisms. As a result serial kinematic mechanisms are common indevices/machines where electrical, electromechanical, hydraulic, orpneumatic actuation is involved, but are challenging as output joints ofpurely mechanical devices/machines. Even in the former case, onedrawback of a serial kinematic design is that the multiple actuators inthe device/machine are not all mounted on the frame or the referenceground, and instead most move along with the DoFs. This may make themachine large and bulky and require moving cable connections, which addto cost and machine size. Some examples of a serial kinematic designbeing used as the output mechanism of a machine include earth movers(which may include hydraulic actuators powered by flexible tubing/hosesthat can bend and flex and therefore be routed over movinginterfaces/joints).

Described herein are parallel kinematic mechanisms, including inparticular parallel kinematic mechanisms used as the input joint insurgical devices, which may address the issues raised above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, described herein are parallel kinematic (PK) mechanisms andapparatuses including them that have at least two rotational degrees offreedom between a handle and a frame. These parallel kinematicmechanisms are based on a constraint map focusing on articulation motion(i.e. two orthogonal rotations). Although the constraint map itself isspecific and well-defined, it allows multiple physical embodiments thatmay look physically different but embody the same basic underlyingconcept. The particular motions that are constrained between the handleand the frame, according to the constraint map, are also motions thatcan be transmitted between the handle and the frame. Since a joint thatconstrains a particular motion does not allow that particular motionbetween the two bodies, if one body moves in the constrained motiondirection, it drives the other body in that motion direction along withit. In other words, that particular motion is transmitted from one bodyto another.

For example, described herein are parallel kinematic (PK) mechanismshaving at least two rotational degrees of freedom between a handle and aframe that include: the frame; the handle; an input joint having atleast two independent paths for transmission of motion coupling thehandle to the frame, wherein the at least two independent paths comprisea first path and a second path; a first intermediate body in the firstpath that is connected to the frame by a first connector and to thehandle by a third connector; a second intermediate body in the secondpath that is connected to the frame by a second connector and to thehandle by a fourth connector; wherein the first connector and the fourthconnector both allow rotation in a first rotational direction andrestrict rotation in a second rotational direction; further wherein thesecond and third connectors allow rotation in the second rotationaldirection and restrict rotation in the first rotational direction.

As used herein, independent paths for transmission of motion may referto paths (e.g., connections between the handle and the frame) that mayindependently transmit mechanical force or motion. As used herein aparallel path refers to the independent and parallel operation of thepath with one or more other paths, and does not necessarily refer to thegeometric relationship between the paths.

In the apparatuses (e.g., mechanisms, devices, and systems) and methodsdescribed herein, when a connector allows rotation in a first rotationaldirection and restricts rotation in a second rotational direction, theconnector typically allows some rotations (or certain motions/DoF) andconstraints other rotations (or motions/DoF) between two bodies that theconnector is connected between. These rotations (e.g., motions) arerelative to or in between the two bodies. For example, two rotationaldirections, 1 and 2, can be defined with respect to a ground referencesuch as the frame. When an apparatus (e.g., a minimally invasive device)includes other components that are rigidly coupled to the frame, e.g., atool shaft, the same definitions for directions 1 and 2 may be usedthroughout the device, as needed.

In general, the angle between an axis of rotation of the firstrotational direction and an axis of rotation of the second rotationaldirection may be between 30 and 150 degrees, including approximately 90degrees, or orthogonal. For example, an axis of rotation of the firstrotational direction may be orthogonal to an axis of rotation of thesecond rotational direction.

Any of the apparatuses described herein may include a virtual center ofrotation. For example, an axis of rotation of the first rotationaldirection and an axis of rotation of the second rotational direction mayintersect in a virtual center of rotation, wherein the virtual center ofrotation is located in a vacant space devoid of any other components ofthe parallel kinematic mechanism or attached to the parallel kinematicmechanism. The virtual center of rotation may coincide with a center ofa user's articulating joint when the user interfaces with the handle.For example, the virtual center of rotation may coincide with a centerof a user's wrist joint when the user is holding the handle.

In any of the apparatuses described herein, the parallel kinematicmechanism may be configured as a minimally invasive tool and may includea tool shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end ofthe tool shaft may be connected to the frame. In particular, the toolshaft (e.g., the proximal end) may be rigidly connected to the frame.When the apparatus is configured as a minimally invasive tool, it mayalso include at least two rotational degrees of freedom output jointbetween an end effector and the distal end of the tool shaft wherein theoutput joint is coupled to the input joint via a transmission (e.g., atransmission system) to correlate and transmit the at least twoindependent paths of the input joint to the at least two rotationaldegrees of freedom of the output joint. In some variations, when theapparatus is configured as a minimally invasive tool, it may furthercomprise an end effector connected to the frame via an output jointhaving at least two rotational degrees of freedom between the endeffector and the distal end of the tool shaft. The output joint may becoupled to the input joint via a transmission system to correlate andtransmit rotations of the handle with respect to the frame tocorresponding rotations of the end effector with respect to the toolshaft.

In operation, the parallel kinematic mechanisms described herein may actin part by separating out the rotations of the handle. For example, tworotations of the handle may be separated and filtered into rotation 1only at body 1 and rotation 2 only at body 2.

Any of the parallel kinematic mechanisms described herein may include anoutput wherein the output is coupled to the input joint via a mechanicaltransmission system configured to correlate and transmit rotations ofthe first and second intermediate bodies to the output. An output jointmay include multiple joints, such as one or more pulleys or links. Theoutput joint may be coupled to the input joint so that the separated andfiltered movements (rotations) may be respectively transmitted tocomponents of the output joint. For example, an output may be coupled tothe input joint via an electromechanical transmission system configuredto correlate and transmit rotations of the first and second intermediatebodies to the output. The electromechanical transmission may includesensors/encoders, which may encode the respective rotations (e.g.,pitch, yaw, etc.) from the input joint. Any appropriate transmission ortransmission system may be used. For example, the output may be coupledto the input joint via a fluidic transmission configured to correlateand transmit rotations of the first and second intermediate bodies tothe output. The fluidic transmission may include hydraulic and/orpneumatic components.

In any of the variations described herein, the frame may be configuredto interface with the forearm of a user. Thus, the frame may be coupledto the user's forearm by straps, etc.

The first and second intermediate bodies may be pulleys. In any of thevariations described herein, the first connector may be a first pivotjoint, the second connector may be a second pivot joint, the thirdconnector may be a first flexure transmission strip and the fourthconnector may be a second flexure transmission strip.

The apparatuses described herein may include additional independentpaths. For example, the input joint may include a third independent pathcoupling the handle to the frame, wherein the third independent pathoperates in parallel with the first and second paths; a thirdintermediate body in the third independent path that is connected to theframe by a fifth connector and to the handle by a sixth connector;wherein the fifth connector allows rotation in the first rotationaldirection and restricts rotation in the second rotational direction.Thus, the third independent path may be analogous to the firstindependent path; a fourth independent path may be analogous to thesecond independent path.

Any of the apparatuses described herein may also allow translation inanother direction. For example, the first path and the second path mayallow translation along a third axis. The first path or the second pathor both the first path and the second path may constrains rotation abouta third axis.

As mentioned, in general, any of the apparatuses described herein may beconfigured as a minimally invasive tool comprising a tool shaftextending from the frame, an output joint that couples the tool shaft toan end effector and a transmission that couples rotations between theinput joint and the output joint.

Another embodiment of the apparatuses described herein may be configuredas a parallel kinematic (PK) mechanism having at least two rotationaldegrees of freedom between a handle and a frame, and may include: theframe; the handle; an input joint having at least two independent pathsfor transmission of motion coupling the handle to the frame, wherein theat least two independent paths comprise a first path and a second path;a first intermediate body comprising a first pulley in the first paththat is connected to the frame by a first connector comprising a firstpulley pin and to the handle by a third connector comprising a firsttransmission strip; a second intermediate body comprising a secondpulley in the second path that is connected to the frame by a secondconnector comprising a second pulley pin and wherein the secondintermediate body is connected to the handle by a fourth connectorcomprising a second transmission strip; wherein the first pulley pinallows rotation in a pitch rotational direction and restricts rotationin a yaw rotational direction, and the second transmission strip iscompliant in bending in the pitch direction and has a high stiffness inbending in the yaw direction; further wherein the second pulley pinallows rotation in the yaw rotational direction and restricts rotationin the pitch rotational direction and the first transmission strip iscompliant in the yaw direction and has high stiffness in bending in thepitch direction.

The first and second transmission strips may comprise a plurality ofrigid segments interconnected in a line by hinged connections. As usedherein the phrase “rigid segments interconnected in a line” may refer toa serial connection (in which A is connected to B, B is connected to C,C is connected to D, etc. and A and C connect only through B while A andD connect only through B and C).

In any of these apparatuses, the first and second transmission stripsmay include a plurality of rigid segments and a plurality of hinges,wherein each rigid segment is hinged to an adjacent rigid segment by ahinge from the plurality of hinges, and wherein each hinge has an axisof rotation that is parallel to an axis of rotation of each hinge in theplurality of hinges. The first and second transmission strips mayinclude a plurality of rigid segments and a plurality of living hinges,wherein each rigid segment is connected to an adjacent rigid segment bya living hinge from the plurality of living hinges, and were in eachliving hinge has an axis of rotation that is parallel to an axis ofrotation of each living hinge in the plurality of living hinges.

A first end of the first transmission strip may be rigidly attached tothe handle and an opposite end of the first transmission strip may berigidly attached to the first pulley; further, the first end of thesecond transmission strip may be rigidly attached to the handle and anopposite end of the second transmission strip is rigidly attached to thesecond pulley.

Another embodiment of the parallel kinematic (PK) mechanisms describedherein may include: a frame; a handle comprising a plate; an input jointhaving at least two independent paths for transmission of motion betweenthe handle to the frame, wherein the at least two independent pathscomprise a first path and a second path (which may operate in parallel);a first intermediate body comprising a first plate in the first paththat is connected to the frame by a first connector comprising a firstplurality of transmission strips and to the handle by a third connectorcomprising a third plurality of transmission strips; a secondintermediate body comprising a second plate in the second path that isconnected to the frame by a second connector comprising a secondplurality of transmission strips and to the handle by a fourth connectorcomprising a fourth plurality of transmission strips; wherein the firstconnector and the fourth connector both allow rotation in a pitchrotational direction and restrict rotation in a yaw rotationaldirection; further wherein the second and third connectors allowrotation in the yaw rotational direction and restrict rotation in thepitch rotational direction.

The first plurality of transmission strips and the fourth plurality oftransmission strips may be compliant in bending in the pitch directionand have a high stiffness in bending about the yaw direction and whereinthe second plurality of transmission strips and the third plurality oftransmission strips may be compliant in bending in the yaw direction andhave a high stiffness in bending about the pitch direction.

Each transmission strip in the first plurality of transmission stripsmay be rigidly attached at a first end to the first intermediate bodyand rigidly attached at a second end opposite from the first end to theframe. Each transmission strip in the third plurality of transmissionstrips may be rigidly attached at a first end to the first intermediatebody and rigidly attached at a second end opposite from the first end,to the handle. Similarly, each transmission strip in the secondplurality of transmission strips may be rigidly attached at a first endto the second intermediate body and rigidly attached at a second endopposite from the first end to the frame. Each transmission strip in thefourth plurality of transmission strips may be rigidly attached at afirst end to the second intermediate body and rigidly attached at asecond end opposite from the first end, to the handle.

Another embodiment of the parallel kinematic (PK) mechanisms describedherein may include: a frame; a handle; an input joint having at leasttwo independent paths for transmission of motion coupling the handle tothe frame, wherein the at least two independent paths comprise a firstpath and a second path (which may operate in parallel); a firstintermediate body in the first path that is connected to the frame by afirst connector comprising a first pivot joint and to the handle by athird connector comprising a third pivot joint; a second intermediatebody in the second path that is connected to the frame by a secondconnector comprising a second pivot joint, and to the handle by a fourthconnector, wherein the fourth connector comprises a flexible torsionshaft; wherein the first connector and the fourth connector both allowrotation in a pitch rotational direction and restrict rotation in a yawrotational direction; further wherein the second and third connectorsallow rotation in the yaw rotational direction and restrict rotation inthe pitch rotational direction. The flexible torsional shaft maytransmit rotations about its center axis, which corresponds to the yawdirection, while remaining compliant in bending in the pitch rotationaldirection. In any of these variations, the yaw and pitch rotationdirections are defined with respect to the frame, as illustrated herein.The flexible torsional shaft may be rigidly connected to the handle at afirst end of the flexible torsional shaft, and rigidly connected to thesecond intermediate body at a second end of the flexible torsionalshaft. The first and second intermediate bodies may comprise pulleys.The first path (e.g., the first and third connectors) may constrainrotation about a roll axis that is orthogonal to both the pitch and yawaxes.

Also described herein is another embodiment of a parallel kinematic (PK)mechanism that includes: a frame; a handle; an input joint having atleast two independent paths for transmission of motion coupling thehandle to the frame, wherein the at least two independent paths comprisea first path and a second path (which may operate in parallel); a firstintermediate body comprising a pitch mount (e.g., pitch support, pitcharch, pitch ring, or any other appropriate shape) in the first path thatis connected to the frame by a first connector comprising a pivot jointand to the handle by a third connector comprising a first slider joint;a second intermediate body comprising a yaw mountyaw mount (e.g., yawsupport, yaw arch, yaw ring, or any other appropriate shape) in thesecond path that is connected to the frame by a second connectorcomprising a pivot joint and the handle by a fourth connector comprisinga second slider joint; wherein the first connector and the fourthconnector both allow rotation in a pitch rotational direction andrestrict rotation in a yaw rotational direction; further wherein thesecond and third connectors allow rotation in the yaw rotationaldirection and restrict rotation in the pitch rotational direction. Thefirst intermediate body may comprise a pulley rigidly coupled to thepitch mount and wherein the second intermediate body comprises a yawpulley rigidly coupled to the yaw mount.

In some variations, the pitch mount of the first intermediate body maycomprise a first slot forming the first slider joint within which thehandle (or member rigidly extending from the handle, which may form aportion of the handle or may be connected, e.g., rigidly, to the handle)may slide; and further wherein the yaw frame of the second intermediatebody may comprise a second slot forming the second slider joint withinwhich the handle or the member rigidly extending from the handle mayslide. The handle (or a member rigidly extending from the handle) may beconstrained from rotating within the first and second slider joint abouta roll axis that is orthogonal to both the pitch and yaw axes.

The first independent path (e.g., the first slider joint) and the secondintermediate path independent path (e.g., the second slider joint) mayallow the handle or the member rigidly extending from the handle totranslate along a roll axis that is orthogonal to both the pitch and yawaxes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe claims that follow. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a minimal access tool according to thepresent invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations depicting the motion input at theuser's end and motion output at the tool tip, respectively, of a minimalaccess tool according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a user end of a minimal access toolaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a user end of a minimal access toolaccording to the present invention including a forearm attachmentdevice;

FIGS. 5A-5C are schematic illustrations of a cable transmissionmechanism of a minimal access tool according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a cabletransmission mechanism of a minimal access tool according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an input of a cable transmissionsystem according to the present invention in the presence of camsurfaces;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a cable transmission systemaccording to the present invention wherein the transmission cables areattached to links of a virtual center-of-rotation (VC) mechanism;

FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 are front elevational, side elevational, andperspective views, respectively, depicting a cascaded-link VC mechanismaccording to the present invention;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective and front elevational views,respectively, of a fixed axes VC mechanism according to the presentinvention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are front elevational views of a cascaded-diskimplementation and a VC mechanism implementation, respectively, of anoutput joint according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a closure mechanism according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an end effector according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of input and output pulleys allowingfor a variable transmission ratio according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of input and output pulleys allowingfor a continuously variable transmission according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a tool tip manipulator and output jointaccording to the present invention that decouples the actuation of thetwo wrist DoF;

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a minimal accesstool according to the present invention which includes a quick releasemechanism for replacing the tool shaft; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of an alternative attachment of aminimal access tool according to the present invention to a supportstructure other than the user's forearm.

FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate example of a schematic of serial kinematicpathways.

FIG. 23 is an example of an exploded view of a joint that, whenassembled, allows a single rotational degree of freedom but constrainsthe other five degrees of freedom.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a parallel design, in which twoindependent pathways connect between body 1 and body 2.

FIG. 25 shows a simplified version of a kinetic schematic such as theone shown in FIG. 22A, in which the multiple intermediate bodies andconnectors are reduced to a single “new” pathway that may include thesecomponents.

FIG. 26 is an illustration of a core constraint map defining theparallel kinematic mechanisms described herein.

FIG. 27 shows a variation of the constrain map of FIG. 26, in whichadditional parallel paths have been added while maintaining the samefunctionality.

FIG. 28 is an example of a first embodiment of a parallel kinematicmechanism as described in FIGS. 12 and 13 in which input joint isconfigured for positioning around a human wrist.

FIGS. 29A and 29B show side and top perspective views, respectively ofanother variation of a parallel kinematic mechanism configured forpositioning around a human foot (e.g., ankle).

FIG. 29C is an example of a variation of a parallel kinematic mechanismconfigured for positioning around an arm.

FIGS. 30A and 30B show another example of a parallel kinematic mechanismsimilar to the one shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, configured to be wornaround a user's wrist so that the handle may be gripped by a hand.

FIG. 31A shows an example of a transmission strip formed from aplurality of rigid members that are connected in a line at hinge pointsthat are, in this example, aligned to have geometrically parallel axesof rotation.

FIG. 31B is an exploded view of the transmission strip of FIG. 31A.

FIG. 32A is another example of a transmission trip similar to the oneshown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, having chamfered or beveled edges that arehinged.

FIG. 32B shows a side view of the transmission strip of FIG. 32A.

FIGS. 33A-33C illustrate an example of a pivoting joint, in top, sideand side perspective views, that includes rigid segments that are hingedby a pin to allow rotation.

FIGS. 34A-34D illustrate a living hinge that may be used, e.g., to forma transmission strip as described herein. FIG. 34A shows a strip ofmaterial prior to forming the living hinge;

FIG. 34B shows side view of a transmission strip formed using livinghinges, and FIG. 34C is a top view of the transmission strip of FIG.34B. FIG. 34D is another example of a transmission strip formed toinclude living hinges between rigid segments.

FIG. 35 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a transmission stripsuch as the transmission strip shown in FIG. 34D flexing in a firstdirection.

FIG. 36 illustrates cross-sectional views through variations of livinghinge profiles that may be used as part of any of the transmissionstrips described herein (along the longitudinal axis of a transmissionstrip).

FIGS. 37A-37D show examples of variations of living hinges formingtransmission strips.

FIG. 38 is a top perspective view of a transmission strip such as theone shown in FIG. 35, flexing in a first direction.

FIG. 39 is a schematic of another example of a transmission stripincluding a living hinge between rigid regions; the rigid regions mayinclude opening therethrough, which may reduce weight without undulycompromising strength.

FIG. 40 is a schematic of another example of a transmission stripincluding a living hinge between rigid regions.

FIG. 41 is a bottom view of another example of a transmission strip.

FIGS. 42A-42D illustrate other variations of a transmission strip havingmetal-reinforced rigid segments. FIG. 42A shows a side perspective view,FIG. 42B shows a top view, FIG. 42C is a side view and FIG. 42D is a topview of a partially constructed configuration.

FIGS. 43A and 43B show top and side perspective views of anothervariation of a transmission strip formed of different materials.

FIGS. 44A and 44B show top and side views of another variation of atransmission strip comprising a spring steel forming the hinge portion,which may be reinforced with additional materials.

FIGS. 45A-45D illustrate another variation of a transmission strip. FIG.45A is a top view, FIG. 45B is an enlarged top view, FIG. 45C is a frontperspective view, and FIG. 45D is a side view.

FIG. 46 illustrates another variation of a transmission strip.

FIGS. 47A and 47B show front and side views, respectively of a schematicillustrating one of the two independent paths for transmission of motionfrom a parallel kinematic mechanism similar to the variation shown inFIGS. 9-11.

FIGS. 48A and 48B show side perspective views of the portion of theparallel kinematic mechanism shown in FIGS. 47A and 47B.

FIGS. 49A and 49B illustrate a second portion of the parallel kinematicmechanism similar to that shown in FIGS. 9-11, which may be combinedwith the portion shown in FIGS. 47A and 48B.

FIG. 50 sows a side perspective view of the portion of the parallelkinematic mechanism shown in FIGS. 49A and 49B.

FIGS. 51A and 51B show side and bottom perspective views, respectively,of another variation of a parallel kinematic mechanism, similar to thevariation shown in FIGS. 9-11.

FIGS. 52A and 52B show side and bottom perspective views, respectively,of another variation of a parallel kinematic mechanism.

FIG. 53 is a schematic illustration of another variation of a parallelkinematic mechanism.

FIG. 54 is a schematic illustration of another variation of a parallelkinematic mechanism.

FIG. 55 schematically illustrates another variation of the parallelkinematic mechanism shown in FIG. 54.

FIGS. 56A-56C illustrate variations of a parallel kinematic mechanismconfigured for interfacing over a user's hand. In FIG. 56A the handleportion is configured to interface with the user's palm. In FIG. 56B thehandle portion is configured to interface with one or more of the user'sfingers (e.g., as a ring). In FIG. 56C the handle portion is configuredto interface with a user's thumb.

FIGS. 57A and 57B illustrate a parallel kinematic mechanism including amechanical transmission (transmission cable or belt).

FIG. 58 shows an example of a parallel kinematic mechanism including agear-based transmission system.

FIG. 59 shows an example of a parallel kinematic mechanism including atransmission linkage.

FIG. 60 shows an example of a parallel kinematic mechanism including apneumatic/hydraulic transmission system.

FIG. 61 shows an example of a parallel kinematic mechanism with atransmission system including flexible torsional shafts.

FIGS. 62A and 62B illustrate torsional shafts.

FIG. 63 shows another example of a parallel kinematic mechanism with atransmission system including flexible torsional shafts.

FIG. 64 shows an example of a parallel kinematic mechanism with atransmission system including flexible torsional shafts and a frame thatextends both proximally and distally from the parallel kinematicmechanism.

FIGS. 65A and 65B show examples of the flexible torsional shafts.

FIGS. 66 and 67 show examples of a parallel kinematic mechanism similarto that shown in FIG. 64. In FIG. 67 a portion of one of the flexibletorsional shafts has been made partially transparent to show theflexible torsional shaft.

FIG. 68 shows an example of a parallel kinematic mechanism with atransmission system including an electrical transducer.

FIGS. 69A and 69B show side perspective views of one variation of aparallel kinematic mechanism configured as a minimally invasive toolhaving an output joint connected to the input joint of the parallelkinematic mechanism via a transmission.

FIG. 70 is a side perspective view of another example of a parallelkinematic mechanism configured as a minimally invasive tool.

FIGS. 71A and 71B show side perspective views of a parallel kinematicmechanism configured as a minimally invasive tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are parallel kinematic (PK) mechanism apparatuses basedon a constraint map focusing on articulation motion (i.e. two orthogonalrotations). As will be described in greater detail below, although theconstraint map is specific and well-defined, it serves as the basis formultiple physical embodiments that may look physically different but allincorporate the same basic underlying concept. The apparatuses andmethods described herein may embody applications of the parallelkinematic constraint map shown in FIG. 26.

The constraint map shown in FIG. 26 indicates that, for a device such asa minimally invasive surgical tool which includes a frame portion and ahandle portion, there may be at least two independent, non-overlappingpaths of connection, which make a parallel kinematic arrangement. Theframe 2603, handle 2601, intermediate body A 2605, and intermediate bodyB 2607 may be generally “rigid” (e.g., difficult to bend or deform).Connector 1 (2611), connector 2 (2613), connector 3 (2615), andconnector 4 (2617) are joints or connectors, which are also referred toas constraints (hence the name constraint map). Connector 1 2611 allowsrotation 1 and restricts (and therefore transmits) rotation 2. In otherwords, connector 1 is compliant in rotation 1 and stiff in rotation 2.Connector 2, on the other hand, allows rotation 2 and restricts rotation1. Connector 3 also allows rotation 2 and restricts rotation 1.Connector 4 allows rotation 1 and restricts rotation 2. As explainedpreviously, it is important to note that a connector “transmits” theparticular rotation that it “restricts” or “constrains”. It mayequivalently be said that the connector provides high stiffness alongthis particular rotation. Similarly, when a connector “allows” aparticular rotation, it also means that the connector does not“transmit” this particular rotation, or is compliant along thisparticular rotation. This arrangement provides at least two rotationaldegrees of freedom (DoF) at the handle with respect to the frame. Anyrotation happens about a rotational axis. Accordingly, one can definethat rotation 1 happens about rotational axis 1, and rotation 2 happensabout rotational axis 2.

In one specific case, the two rotations can be orthogonal to each otherand be defined as yaw and pitch rotations, i.e. rotations about a pitchaxis and a yaw axes, respectively, where the pitch and yaw axes areorthogonal to each other. However, the constraint map shown in FIG. 26is more generally relevant: the two rotational axes need not be calledthe pitch and yaw axes, and need not be exactly orthogonal(perpendicular to each other) and can instead be at another angle. Forexample, depending on the application, the range of the angle betweenthe two axes can be approximately from 30 degrees to 150 degrees.

In some variations, the frame may serve as a reference, which means thatone may observe/study/discuss the motion of intermediate body A,intermediate body B, and handle with respect to the frame. In anothercase, one may consider the handle to be reference, which means that onemay observe/study/discuss the motion of the remaining bodies withrespect to the handle. For much of the discussion in this document, theframe is treated as the reference. Specifically, as used and describedherein, rotations (e.g., “rotation 1”, “rotation 2”, “rotation 3”) maybe made with respect to the frame.

Using physical connectors that have the attributes described above, theconstraint map shown in FIG. 26 may provide the basis for constructingPK mechanisms that exhibit unique and specific functionality. Thisfunctionality can be described in two different ways depending onwhether the PK mechanism is used as an input interface/mechanism/jointor an output interface/mechanism/joint in a tool, device, or machine,but these functionalities are the consequence of the sameconstruction/structure illustrated.

Considering the case when the PK mechanism is used as an inputinterface/mechanism/joint: when the handle is rotated about rotationalaxis 1, this rotation (i.e. rotation 1) is transmitted to intermediatebody A via connector 3, which transmits rotation 1. When the handle isrotated about rotational axis 2, this rotation (i.e. rotation 2) is NOTtransmitted to intermediate body A because connector 3 allows (andtherefore does not transmit) rotation 1. Intermediate body A has theability to rotate about rotational axis 1 but can't rotate aboutrotation axis 2, with respect to the frame, because of connector 1.Thus, for any arbitrary combination of rotation 1 and rotation 2 at thehandle, only rotation 1 is transmitted to and exhibited by intermediatebody A, which does not see any effect of rotation 2.

When the handle is rotated about rotational axis 2, this rotation (i.e.rotation 2) is transmitted to intermediate body B via connector 4, whichtransmits rotation 2. When the handle is rotated about rotational axis1, this rotation (i.e. rotation 1) is NOT transmitted to intermediatebody B because connector 4 allows (and therefore does not transmit)rotation 2. Intermediate body B has the ability to rotate aboutrotational axis 2 but can't rotate about rotation axis 1, with respectto the frame, because of connector 2. Thus, for any arbitrarycombination of rotation 1 and rotation 2 at the handle, only rotation 2is transmitted to and exhibited by intermediate body B, which does notsee any effect of rotation 1.

Thus, for any arbitrary combination of rotation 1 and rotation 2 at thehandle, the proposed constraint map ensures that only rotation 2 istransmitted to and exhibited at intermediate body B, and only rotation 1is transmitted to and exhibited at intermediate body A. Thus, theconstraint map of FIG. 26 serves as a basic concept for a means tomechanically separate a two DoF rotational motion at the handle to twoindividual single DoF rotations at intermediate body A and intermediatebody B, respectively. This is particularly important from a transmissionstand-point. It is difficult (or mechanically more complex) to transmita 2 DoF rotational motion from one location on a tool/machine/device toanother location. But once the two DoF rotational motion has beenseparated into two individual single DoF rotational motions, where eachone of the latter is about a respective well-defined rotation axis,transmitting these two individual rotations is relatively easy viacables, pulleys, gears, linkages, etc. Alternatively, these rotationscould be electronically captured via encoders, or potentiometers, orother rotary sensors.

Another way of viewing the arrangement outlined by the constraint map ofFIG. 26 is to note that the two rotations (rotation 1 at intermediatebody A, and rotation 2 at intermediate body B) are completely decoupled.Rotation 1 at intermediate body A does not affect and is not affected byrotation 2 at intermediate body B.

In some variations, the parallel kinematic configuration is used as anoutput mechanism. In this variation, intermediate body A is allowedrotation 1 with respect to the frame due to connector 1. If rotation 1is applied to intermediate body A via some means (e.g. a motor, or amanual crank, etc.) then intermediate body A will exhibit this rotationabout rotational axis 1 with respect to the frame. Furthermore, rotation1 will be transmitted from intermediate body A to the handle viaconnector 3, without affecting or being affected by any rotation 2 atthe handle. This is due to the fact that connector 3 transmits rotation1 but does not transmit rotation 2. This means that connector 3, whichis compliant about rotation 2, accommodates any relative rotation 2between handle and intermediate body A. Thus, any rotation 1 atintermediate body A is transmitted to handle.

Intermediate body B is allowed rotation 2 with respect to the frame dueto connector 2. If rotation 2 is applied to intermediate body B via somemeans (e.g. a motor, or a manual crank, etc.) then intermediate body Bwill exhibit this rotation about rotational axis 2 with respect to theframe. Furthermore, rotation 2 will be transmitted from intermediatebody B to the handle via connector 4, without affecting or beingaffected by any rotation 1 at the handle. This is due to the fact thatconnector 4 transmits rotation 2 but does not transmit rotation 1. Thismeans that connector 4, which is compliant about rotation 1,accommodates any relative rotation 1 between handle and intermediatebody B. Thus, any rotation 2 at intermediate body B is transmitted tohandle.

Thus, any rotation 1 at intermediate body A and any rotation 2 atintermediate body B are both transmitted to the handle withoutconflicting with or countering each other. The handle then exhibits bothof these rotations. Thus, any parallel kinematic mechanism built usingthe above constraint map serves as means for mechanically combining twoindividual single DoF rotations into a two DoF rotation. Thisarrangement is particularly useful because the each of two individualsingle DoF rotation is easy to provide via a rotary motor, or via amanual crank, or a pulley/cable, or via various other means, whiledirectly generating a two DoF rotation motion is difficult.

Another way of viewing this structure/arrangement is to note that thetwo rotations (rotation 1 at intermediate body A, and rotation 2 atintermediate body B) are completely decoupled. Rotation 1 atintermediate body A does not affect and is not affected by rotation 2 atintermediate body B.

FIG. 27 is an example of an enhanced constraint map similar to theconstraint map shown in FIG. 26. The constraint map shown in FIG. 26 isa minimalist representation of the proposed constraint map. Additionalrigid bodies and connectors may be added to this constraint map toachieve the same functionality or enhanced functionality, while keepingthe basic ideas of mechanical decoupling/separation/combination intact.One such example is shown in FIG. 27. In addition to intermediate bodiesA 2705 and B 2707, there can be intermediate body C 2725 andintermediate body D 2727. Intermediate body C is connected to frame 2703via connector 1′, which allows rotation 1 but restricts/constrains (andtherefore transmits) rotation 2. Intermediate body C is connected tohandle 2701 via connector 3′ which allows rotation 2 butrestricts/constrains/transmits rotation 1. Intermediate body D isconnected to frame via connector 2′ which allows rotation 2 butrestricts/constrains/transmits rotation 1. Intermediate body D 2727 isconnected to handle 2701 via connector 4′ which allows rotation 1 butrestricts/constrains/transmits rotation 2. It is important to note thatthe constraint map of FIG. 27 is an augmentation of FIG. 26. It has allthe elements seen in the constraint map of FIG. 26 plus more elementsthat do not compromise the original structure of functionality of theFIG. 26 constraint map. The additional elements shown in FIG. 27 mayfurther improve functionality in terms of physical strength androbustness without conflicting with structure, intent, logic, andfunctionality of the original constraint map.

The connectors shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 could have additional attributesbeyond those listed above. For example, connector 1 allows rotation 1and constrains/restricts/transmits rotation 2. This accounts for onlytwo out of six possible DoF or motions. One could also add that: for theconstraint map of FIG. 26, connectors 1 and 3 and/or connectors 2 and 4are stiff in rotation 3 (which could be referred to as roll rotation ifrotations 1 and 2 are pitch and yaw). In other words, any givenconnector constrains/restricts/transmits rotation 3 in addition to itsfunctionality with respect to rotation 1 and rotation 2. This wouldenable that rotation 1 and rotation 2 are allowed between handle andframe, while rotation 3 is restricted and therefore transmitted betweenhandle and frame. As described in detail below, rotations 1, 2, and 3may be defined with reference to the frame. For example, rotations 1, 2and 3 (e.g., pitch, yaw, and roll rotation, respectively) may beunderstood to be rotations relative to the frame.

The constraint map may also be modified to include a requirement thatconnectors 1 and/or 3 and connectors 2 and/or 4, allow translation alongrotational axis 3. This would result in allowing translational motionalong direction 3 to be allowed between the handle and frame.

Described herein are apparatuses that embody the constraint map of FIG.26, including the variations shown in FIGS. 9-11 and 12-13.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, andsome features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details ofparticular components. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, butmerely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art tovariously employ the present invention.

The present invention provides a high-dexterity, multi-DoF, minimalaccess tool capable of intuitive actuation for use in MIS, endoscopy, orother interventions. With reference to the drawings, a tool inaccordance with the present invention is designated generally byreference numeral 10 and may provide the following functionality. First,six DoF may be provided at an end effector 12, such as a tool tipmanipulator, to provide complete motion control in the threetranslational directions and three rotational directions. Additionally,the end effector 12 may have an open/close capability for grasping,cutting, etc., depending on its use. Ergonomic and intuitive motionmapping may be provided from an input (i.e., a user's arm, hand, andfingers) to an output (i.e., the end effector 12), and the tool 10 mayprovide force feedback to allow the user to feel the amount of forceexerted by the tool 10. Still further, the tool 10 may provide motionscaling between the input and output motions, and hand-tremor reductionto improve the precision in surgery. It should be noted that “DoF” and“motion” are used interchangeably in the description provided herein.The tool 10 according to the present invention may be purely mechanicalwith a minimal number of components and assembly steps, ensuringsimplicity and cost-effective manufacturing.

With reference to FIG. 1, a mechanical hand-held tool 10 is illustrated,wherein the DoF of the end effector 12 may be controlled by theirphysiological analogs at the user's end 14. Intuitive input-outputmotion mapping for the tool 10 may be achieved when the DoF motions ofthe end effector 12 match those of the user's arm, hand, and fingers.The tool 10 includes a frame 18 arranged to be attached to the user'sarm, typically the forearm, such as via an arm attachment member 20 orother means. The frame 18 may be generally rigid, and also mayincorporate length and size adjustability features so as to accommodateusers of varying sizes. The tool 10 further includes a tool shaft 22having a proximal end 21 and a distal end 23, wherein the frame 18 maybe connected to the shaft proximal end 21. The tool shaft 22 isconfigured to pass through a surgical port (e.g. trocar or cannula) inthe patient's body (not shown), such that the tool shaft 22 may begenerally elongated and thin with a generally round cross-section,although the shaft 22 is not limited to this configuration. The toolshaft 22 may be generally rigid, or alternatively a flexible toolconduit such as one used in endoscopy may be used while retaining allother functionality.

In this example, an input joint is connected to the frame 18 andarranged to receive the user's wrist motion input at a handle, whereinthe input joint includes a virtual center-of-rotation (VC) mechanism 16(best shown in FIGS. 9, 12, and 13) which provides a center of rotationthat generally coincides with a wrist joint W of the user. In otherwords, the VC mechanism 16 creates a 2-DoF or 3-DoF joint between theframe and the handle with a virtual center-of-rotation located close tothe user's own wrist W when the user's hand holds/interfaces the handle.A joint or mechanism with a virtual center-of-rotation is one where nophysical structure need exist at the virtual center-of-rotation. Such ajoint should include a body that the user's hand can actuate, whereinthis body is constrained by the VC mechanism 16 to move as if virtuallypivoted at a point at the user's wrist by a 2-DoF universal or 3-DoFrotational joint. With this arrangement, the user's hand can rotatefreely in at least two directions relative to the user's forearmnaturally about the user's wrist W. The natural motion of the user's armis then replicated at the end effector 12 inside the patient's body, viatransmission systems described subsequently.

A traditional 2-DoF joint could be used for the input joint, as in U.S.Pat. No. 7,147,650, incorporated by reference herein. However, thecenter-of-rotation of the input joint in such cases coincides with thephysical location of the joint, and hence can never be made to coincidewith the user's wrist given the physical geometry/space constraints.Consequently, at the tool input, the user would have to move his/herforearm, elbow, and shoulder along with his/her wrist to produce theoutput pitch and yaw motions at the end effector 12, which is cumbersomeand non-intuitive. It is highly desirable for the user to be able togenerate the pitch and yaw input motions by simply rotating his/herwrist relative to his/her forearm, which provides for the most natural,intuitive, and ergonomic actuation. For this to happen, thecenter-of-rotation of the input joint 16 should generally coincide withthe location of the user's wrist. This enables the user to move his/herwrist naturally and comfortably during operation, independent offorearm, elbow, and shoulder motions.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the frame 18 gives structural integrityto the entire tool 10, providing a rigid connection between the armattachment member 20 and the tool shaft 22, and also providing thereference ground for the VC mechanism 16. The frame 18 may beimplemented in one of several ways. According to one non-limiting aspectof the present invention, a curved structure that does not interferewith the user's hand/fingers during wrist rotations may be provided,which may include a T-shaped or tubular or rectangular cross-section toenhance structural rigidity. The VC mechanism 16 may include a first endor ground base which is connected to or part of the frame.

With further reference to FIG. 1, a second, input end of the VCmechanism 16 may comprise a floating member, such as a plate 26. Thetool 10 may further comprise a handle 24 (also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4)mounted to the plate 26 to allow convenient grasping by a user's hand,wherein any wrist rotations of the user's hand are transmitted to theplate 26 via the handle 24. The handle 24 may include a soft coveringcomprised of a material such as rubber, and different types of griptape, foam, or other materials may be used for comfort. The handle 24may be of a pistol-grip type as depicted, or other handle shapes may beused including, but not limited to, scissor-like rings, a squeeze-ballgrip design, or an ergonomic shape that conforms to a user's hand grip.Any shape of handle 24 may be used, provided it can be mounted to thefloating plate 26. Alternatively, the handle 24 and the plate 26 may beembodied as a single component by simply extending the shape of thefloating plate 26. It is also understood that the floating member 26 maytake forms other than the plate depicted herein. The VC mechanism 16 maybe covered with a baffle 30, such as for aesthetic reasons, and tocontain an additional roll rotational DoF that may be provided by a3-DoF VC mechanism 16 as described further below.

The end effector 12 may be connected to the tool shaft distal end 23 viaan output joint 32, wherein the output joint 32 is mechanically coupledto the VC mechanism input joint 16 to correlate rotational motions ofthe VC mechanism 16 to the rotational motions of the output joint 32. Assuch, the tool shaft 22 provides the reference ground for the endeffector 12. A transmission system comprising cables 34 (best shown inFIGS. 5-10) connects the VC mechanism input joint 16 to the output joint32, thereby linking their motions. However, it is understood that thepresent invention is not limited to the use of cables 34, and that anytype of mechanical transmission between the input joint 16 and theoutput joint 32 is fully contemplated, as described further below. Thisarrangement provides that rotations of the handle, as generated by auser's wrist, are transmitted to corresponding rotations of the endeffector. Furthermore, the dimensions and geometry of all components ofthe tool 10 according to the present invention may be chosen such thatthe wrist motion of the user's hand is replicated at the end effector 12with any desired and adjustable scaling factor.

FIG. 2A shows the three translational motions and roll rotation of thehuman forearm, the two rotational motions (pitch and yaw) of the humanwrist, and the grasping motion of human hand. FIG. 2B shows thecorresponding DoF of the tool 10 according to the present invention.These DoF include three translations and a roll rotation of the toolshaft 22, two wrist-like rotations (pitch and yaw), and a graspingmotion of the end effector 12. A tool 10 as described herein thatprovides a one-to-one mapping between the human input DoF and the outputDoF of the end effector 12. The fact that the mapping of each DoF of theuser input to the corresponding DoF of the end effector 12 is largelydecoupled from the mapping of all the remaining DoF greatly facilitatesthe intuitive control (i.e., motion mapping from user input to tooloutput) of the end effector 12 by a user equipped with the tool 10.

In attaching the user's forearm to the tool shaft 22 via the frame 18and the arm attachment member 20, and using the VC mechanism 16 incommunication with the output joint 32, the 6 DoF of the arm and wrist,and the grasping action of the hand, may be relayed successfully to theend effector 12. Because control of the motion of the end effector 12happens with natural motion of the user's forearm, wrist, and hand, thetool 10 according to the present invention successfully providesmulti-DoF motion with intuitive input-output motion mapping. Because thesystem may be purely mechanical, it intrinsically relays force feedbackand is robust and low-cost.

In one embodiment, the roll rotation at the end effector 12 is theconsequence of forearm roll rotation only, as there is no roll rotationat the user's wrist with respect to the user's forearm. Since the frame18 is secured to the user's forearm, any roll rotation of the forearm istransmitted entirely to the frame 18, the tool shaft 22, and ultimatelyto the end effector 12 when the output joint 32 is a 2-DoF joint. Thus,it is acceptable to have an input joint 16 that provides threerotational DoF (the desired yaw and pitch, and an additional roll). Theroll is redundant because, in the above-described arrangement, any rollDoF of the input joint 16 cannot be actuated by the user's wrist motion.For this actuation to happen, the wrist would have to roll with respectto the frame 18, but this cannot happen given the physiologicalconstruction of the human wrist. However, as explained here, if theinput joint 16 is such that it provides an extra roll DoF, this DoFsimply goes unused and has no detrimental effect of the desiredfunctionality and dexterity of the overall tool 10.

In another embodiment, a spatial transmission mechanism/system may beused not only to transmit two rotational DoF (pitch and yaw) but allthree rotational DoF (pitch, yaw, and roll). In such an embodiment, itwould become possible to use input 16 and output 32 joints, each withthree rotational DoF. In that case, the roll DoF of the input 16 andoutput 32 joints would be used. The roll DoF provided by the input jointmay be actuated by the twirling of the user's fingers. Note that theuser's fingers are capable of generating such roll rotation in additionto the pitch and yaw rotations provided by the user's wrist. In thisscenario, the transmission system can mechanically orelectromechanically transmit the roll rotation generated at the inputjoint to the output joint.

The present invention may provide a method to translate the user'sforearm's four DoF (3 translations and one roll rotation) to thecorresponding DoF of the end effector 12 by providing a reference groundfor the end effector 12. With reference to the description above ofFIGS. 1-4, the tool 10 described herein may be provided with acontinuous rigid structure attached directly or indirectly to the user'sarm. This continuous rigid structure may also incorporate a relativelylong narrow feature (analogous to the tool shaft) to penetrate thepatient's body. The tip of the long narrow feature, which now is part ofthe continuous rigid structure, may provide a reference ground for theend effector 12. This ground and end effector 12 may be interconnectedvia an output joint 32. This continuous rigid structure also provides areference ground for the VC mechanism 16 described above. The plate 26,which sees the user's motion inputs, may be connected to this ground viathe VC mechanism input joint 16. Thus, the continuous rigid structuremay effectively create a shared reference ground for the variousmechanisms, sub-mechanisms, and input as well as output joints in thetool 10 according to the present invention. This continuous rigidstructure can include a single rigid body or several bodies connectedrigidly to each other. These several rigid bodies may be detachable,re-attachable, and re-configurable.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the continuous rigidstructure may comprise the arm attachment member 20, the frame 18, andthe tool shaft 22 (see FIG. 1). The arm attachment member 20 may be usedto attach the continuous rigid structure to the forearm of the user. Thecoupling with the user's forearm may be rigid or non-rigid. The couplingmay itself allow certain DoF and constrain others between the forearmand attachment member. The end effector 12 may be attached to thecontinuous rigid structure at the tool shaft distal end 23 via an outputjoint 32. During a surgical procedure, the end effector 12, the outputjoint 32, and a portion of the tool shaft 22 are generally in vivo,while the other components are generally in vitro. The implementation ofthe frame 18, the tool shaft 22, and the arm attachment member 20dictates the general shape of the continuous rigid structure. Obviously,the geometries of these components and the overall continuous rigidstructure can vary from that depicted herein and can be selected forright-hand or left-hand use.

In one embodiment, the end effector 12 may be made detachable so thatthe user may release and detach one end effector 12 and replace it witha different kind of end effector 12. The end effector 12 may be replacedwhile keeping the frame 18 attached to the user's forearm and the toolshaft 22 remaining attached to the frame 18. This allows the endeffector 12 to be pulled out of the tool shaft 22 at a location outsidethe patient's body and be replaced by an end effector 12 with adifferent functionality during an operation, thus allowing the toolshaft 22 to remain in place while the end effector 12 is replaced. Theend effector 12 and associated mechanisms may be disengaged utilizing aquick release or other mechanism and withdrawn through a hole in theframe 18 or tool shaft 22 without moving the tool shaft 22. This allowsthe user to change end effectors 12 while keeping the tool 10 inside ofthe patient.

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 3-4, the arm attachment member 20 is provided toquickly and easily secure the user's forearm to the frame 18. The armattachment member 20 may include flexible or rigid members to provide asecure interface or coupling between the forearm and the frame 18. Thecoupling may allow certain DoF and constrain others between the forearmand attachment member 20. According to one aspect of the presentinvention, the arm attachment member 20 may include flexible adjustablestraps 36 that encircle the forearm and use a hook-and-loop arrangement,snap joints, buckles or other features for securing the arm attachmentmember 20 to the user's forearm. The arm attachment member 20 may alsoinclude a supporting shell-type structure 38 which may be made generallyin the shape of a forearm (for example, half cone-shaped) to ensurecomfort and correct attachment positioning. Furthermore, the shellstructure 38 may be at least partially lined with a foam pad 40 or othersuitable material to provide a comfortable interface between the user'sforearm and the arm attachment member 20. The foam pad 40 may comprise apolyurethane open cell foam, although other types of soft gel and/orfoam may also be used. In one embodiment, the arm attachment member 20may extend around approximately half of the forearm circumference.According to one non-limiting aspect of the present invention, the armattachment member 20 may be integrated with the frame 18 for ease ofmanufacturing.

It is understood that variations of the arm attachment member 20 arealso contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Forexample, the support shell structure 38 may extend partially orcompletely around the forearm. If the shell structure 38 extendspartially around the forearm, other flexible or rigid components may beused to completely enclose and secure the forearm. The shell structure38 can also extend around the entire circumference of the arm eithercontinuously or in multiple sections. If the shell structure 38encircles the forearm continuously, shape-morphing padding may be usedto fit the forearm in place snugly. This padding could possibly beeither passive or actuated by pressure, heat, or some other controllableshape-morphing structure. If the shell structure 38 encircles theforearm in sections, joints may be provided between each section.

Turning now to FIGS. 5A-5C, the present invention provides a method torelate the two wrist DoF to the corresponding two rotational DoF of theend effector 12. This may be achieved using a master-slave, cable-basedspatial transmission design, where the user actuates the master joint(input joint or VC mechanism 16) and the motion is transferred to theslave joint (output joint 32) via cables 34, and optionally cams (see,for example, FIG. 7) or pulleys (see, for example, FIG. 8). In thisdesign, the two joints are coupled such that the motion at the outputjoint 32 is dependent on the input joint 16. The user input foractuating the input joint 16 comes from the rotation of the user's handwhich happens about the user's wrist relative to the user's forearm. Thetwo joints in question should have at least two rotational DoF (pitchand yaw) each. Furthermore, since the frame 18 is secured to the user'sforearm, as described earlier, this structure and its extension such asthe tool shaft also provide the ground for the two joints. Consequently,the two rotations produced at the end effector 12 are with respect tothe user's forearm. A planar illustration of the transmission design,depicting one rotational DoF, is provided in FIG. 5 for the purpose ofexplanation. However, it should be understood that the present inventionincludes a spatial or three-dimensional transmission design thattransmits at least two wrist rotations (pitch and yaw) while utilizing2-DoF or 3-DoF joints as the input 16 and output 32 joints.

In one embodiment, respective points on the floating plate 26 at theinput joint 16 and the end effector 12 at the output joint 32 withsimilar orientation are connected (i.e., top to top, bottom to bottom,etc.) via cables 34, as schematically represented in FIG. 5. This kindof connection ensures independent control of the two rotational DoF(pitch and yaw) at the end effector 12 by corresponding rotations of theuser's wrist. rotation of the input joint 16 causes push and/or pullaction to be transmitted from the floating plate 26 to the end effector12 via cables 34 that may pass through the tool shaft 22 and attach tothe output joint 32. In general, corresponding points on the floatingplate 26 and end effector 12 can be connected with either cables 34 orinstead with rigid links (or push rods) with appropriatejoints/interfaces. It is also contemplated that the connection pointscould be reversed, e.g. top to bottom, bottom to top, to produce motionat the end effector 12 in a direction opposite the input motion at thefloating plate 26 and the handle 24.

The transmission system according to the present invention allows formotion scaling, depending upon the type and location of the cableconnection points. For example, FIG. 5C depicts motion scaling betweenthe input and output joints 16, 32 which may be accomplished by varyingthe attachment points of the cables 34 between the end effector 12(output joint 32) and the floating plate 26 (input joint 16). In oneembodiment, compliant and dampened joints may be used in the VCmechanism 16, a compliant and dampened universal joint may be used forthe output joint 32, and finite stiffness cables 34 may be used for themotion transmission system. All these flexible and dampening elementstogether may act as a low-pass filter, reducing the effects of highfrequency input hand-tremors at the output motion of the end effector12.

The cables 34 may be routed through the tool shaft 22 (e.g., asillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7) so that they remain shielded and protectedfrom wear. According to the present invention, there may also be severalrouting components to prevent tangling of the cables 34 and ensureuninhibited motion. These components may be attached to or supported onthe frame 18 or the tool shaft 22, and may include several individualholes 42 through which individual cables 34 pass, or small pulleys orrollers around which the individual cables 34 are routed. There may bevariations on these routing components, depending on the configurationof the tool shaft 22 and the frame 18.

With the motion transmission system according to the present invention,a plurality of cables 34 may be used such as, but not limited to, fouror more. Increasing the number of cables 34 may be beneficial up to acertain point, providing a higher degree of articulation at everyposition. The cables 34 may also be stiff or moderately compliant alongtheir lengths. If compliant, the cables 34 may have inherent flexibilityor springiness in series that provide the elasticity. This axialcompliance can be carefully selected to filter/dampen any hand tremorsand provide more stable and precise motion at the end effector 12. Alsothis axial compliance can serve to limit tension in the cables andprevent damage or failure of the transmission and routing components(such as the cables themselves, small pulleys/rollers, etc.)

At least one spring or other such mechanism may be attached to the VCmechanism 16 ground (i.e., the frame 18) on one side and the floatingplate 26 on the other side. While such a spring would not constrain thepreviously described DoF of the input joint 16, it may keep the plate 26in a nominal “centered” condition in the lack of any input motions fromthe user.

As shown in FIG. 7, as the plate 26 of the VC mechanism 16 turns to oneside in response to a user input at handle 24, it pulls on thetransmission cable 34 on one side and releases the transmission cable 34on the other side. The tension in the cable 34 on one side transmits allthe way to the end effector 12 and makes it turn accordingly. Duringthis entire procedure, the geometry of the VC mechanism 16 andtransmission may be such that more cable 34 is released on the secondside as compared to the amount of cable 34 pulled on the first side.Since the overall length of cable 34 has to remain constant in thesystem, this results in cable slack on the second side. According to oneembodiment, cam surfaces 44 may be incorporated in the floating plate 26geometry, another portion of the input joint 16, or the frame 18 inorder to alleviate this issue. It is understood that cam surfaces 44 maybe utilized in any of the various tool embodiments disclosed herein. Thecam surfaces 44 may be configured such that any extra cable 34 on anyside of the input portion of the transmission gets wrapped over the camsurface 44, thus effectively eliminating any cable slackness. Anotherembodiment, illustrated in FIG. 8, involves attaching the transmissioncables 34 to one or more components/links of the VC mechanism 16 asopposed to the floating plate 26 of the VC mechanism 16. Pulleys 48 mayalso be utilized, wherein each pulley 48 rotates about a point on theframe 18 and alleviates the challenges associated with cable slackdiscussed above.

As described above, the VC mechanism 16 may include a floating plate 26that the user's hand can actuate, such as via a handle 24, with respectto the frame 18. The VC mechanism 16 ensures that this plate 26, andtherefore the handle 24, is restricted to move as if virtually pivotedaround a point at the user's wrist via a 2 DoF or 3 DoF joint. The VCmechanism 16 should provide a virtual center located at the user's wristas best as possible. Second, the virtual center created by the VCmechanism 16 should remain located close to the user's wrist throughoutthe mechanism's entire range of motion. However, the VC mechanism 16 maycause a drift in the location of the virtual center, typically withlarge rotational displacements by the user. In certain embodiments ofthe VC mechanism 16, the location of the virtual center can drift alongthe axis of the tool 10, which is a consequence of the mechanism typeand geometry. Dimensions and geometry can be chosen to minimize themagnitude of this drift, but a small amount may remain. In that case, itis desirable that the VC mechanism 16 provide some means foraccommodating the deviation of the virtual center from the user's actualwrist rotation point (such as the springs described above). If this isnot provided, the range by which the user can move the plate 26, via thehandle 24, smoothly and effortlessly in the yaw and pitch rotationaldirections may become restricted.

The VC mechanism 16 should allow for a practical transmission method totransmit the floating plate 26 pitch and yaw motions, actuated by theuser's hand via the handle 24, to the end effector 12. In anotherembodiment, a cascaded VC mechanism 16 may be provided which resolvesthe user input (which can be a general combination of pitch and yaw) andinto two clearly separated single rotations. In other words, as depictedin FIGS. 9-11, when the floating plate 26 is rotated by yaw and pitch, afirst intermediate member or plate 54 only experiences the yaw part ofthe overall input motion while rejecting the pitch component, whereas asecond intermediate member or plate 56 only experiences the pitch partof the overall motion while rejecting the yaw component. Cables (notshown) mechanically coupled to the first and second intermediate members54, 56 then transmit the separate pitch and yaw motions to the endeffector 12. Cam surfaces, similar to those described above withreference to FIG. 7, may be provided on one or both of the first andsecond intermediate members 54, 56 in order to prevent cable slack. Thisconfiguration reduces the one 2-DoF transmission design problem, whichhas to transmit two rotations at the same time, into two 1-DoFtransmission design problems, each of which have to transmit only onerotation independent of the other.

The floating plate 26 of the VC mechanism 16 of FIGS. 9-11 may beconnected to the intermediate member 54 via a first set of connectors58. Connectors 58 may be such that they transmit a yaw rotation from thefloating plate 26 to the first intermediate member 54 because theconnectors 58 are stiff in that direction. The first intermediate member54 may be connected to the frame 18 via a second set of connectors 60.Because the connectors 58 are compliant in the pitch rotationaldirection and the connectors 60 are stiff with respect to pitch rotationrelative to the frame 18, any pitch rotation of the floating plate 26does not get transmitted to the first intermediate member 54.

Thus, this VC mechanism 16 of FIGS. 9-11 provides a mechanical filteringarrangement such that, given any random combination of yaw and pitchrotations of the plate 26 (actuated by the user's hand such as via thehandle 24), only the yaw component of that rotation is seen by the firstintermediate member 54, while the pitch component of the overallrotation is rejected or not seen by the first intermediate member 54. Inthe other direction, the plate 26 is attached to the second intermediatemember 56 via a third set of connectors 62 which are stiff in the pitchdirection and compliant in the yaw direction. The second intermediatemember 56 is attached to the frame 18 via a fourth set of connectors 64which are stiff in the yaw direction and compliant in the pitchdirection. Hence, any pitch rotation of the floating plate 26 istransmitted to the second intermediate member 56 via the connectors 62.However, any yaw rotation of the plate 26 is not transmitted to thesecond intermediate member 56 since the connectors 62 are compliant inthis direction and the connectors 64 are stiff in this direction.

In the end, therefore, this embodiment of the VC mechanism 16 is able toseparate out the combined yaw and pitch rotations of the floating plate26, produced by the yaw and pitch rotation of user's wrist as the user'shand holds the handle 24, into a pure yaw rotation of the firstintermediate member 54 and a pure pitch rotation of the secondintermediate member 56. Now, intermediate members 54, 56 may be used tofurther transmit the yaw and pitch rotations to the end effector 12 viacoupling to cables (not shown). As mentioned above, two relativelyindependent 1-DoF transmission problems may be dealt with as opposed toa single 2-DoF transmission problem. It should be noted that the members54, 56 and connectors 58, 60, 62, and 64 are not limited to the shapesand configurations depicted herein.

Connectors 60 and 64 may be oriented such that an extrapolation of theirlengths would intersect at the user's wrist. This may provide thevirtual center attribute of the VC mechanism 16. Connectors 58 and 62may be shaped such that they do not impose any constraint along the toolaxis 52. Thus, any deviation of the virtual center provided byconnectors 60 and 64 from the actual wrist center of the user may beaccommodated by the axial direction compliance of connectors 58 and 62.

The mechanism variation shown in FIGS. 9-11 also embodies the constraintmap of FIG. 26. In addition to being a two rotational DoF (pitch andyaw) PK mechanism based on the constraint map of FIG. 26, this variationprovides the virtual center (VC) functionality. In this example, frame18 corresponds to the frame 18 of FIG. 26 and plate 26 (or equivalentlyhandle 24) corresponds to the handle of FIG. 26. The pitch rotation(rotation about pitch axis 1205) corresponds to rotation 1 and the yawrotation (rotation about yaw axis 1207) corresponds to rotation 2. Frame18 is connected to Plate 56 (intermediate body A) via strips 64(connector 1) which allows pitch rotation and constrains yaw rotation.Plate 56 (intermediate body A) is connected to the Plate 26 (handle) viastrips 62 (connector 3), which allow yaw rotation and constrain pitchrotation. Furthermore, frame 18 is connected to Plate 54 (intermediatebody B) via strips 60 (connector 2) which allows yaw rotation andconstrains pitch rotation. Plate 54 (intermediate body B) is connectedto the Plate 26 (handle) via strips 58 (connector 4), which allow pitchrotation and constrain yaw rotation.

This embodiment illustrates that any given connector (1, 2, 3, or 4) cancomprise one or more physical elements. For example, connector 1comprises the two strips labeled 64. The actual construction of theconnector defines an embodiment, but its functionality is conveyed bythe constraint map. Strips may also be referred to as transmissionstrips.

FIGS. 47A and 47B illustrate the mechanism of FIGS. 9-11 in partialconfigurations. It should be understood that these figures are simplymeant for describing the structure and functionality of the mechanismand separately do not describe the complete mechanism, illustrating thevirtual center. The elements are labeled as indicated in FIGS. 9-11 andcorrespond. Similarly, FIGS. 48A and 48B show views of a portion of thePK mechanism of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 47A and 47B. For example,from FIG. 11, FIG. 47A shows the portion that is represented by the path“frame—connector 1—intermediate body A—connector 3—handle” of theconstraint map in FIG. 26. These figures (FIG. 47B) also show that plate56 has a virtual center of rotation with respect the frame 18 and thathandle 26 has a virtual center of rotation with respect to plate 56. Bychoosing the geometries of the strips, these two virtual centers can bemade to overlap and/or lie close to each other. FIGS. 47A and 48B, showsvarious different views of a portion of the PK mechanism of FIG. 9-11,including the portion that is represented by the path “frame—connector2—intermediate body B—connector 4—handle” of the constraint map in FIG.26. These figures also show that plate 54 has a virtual center ofrotation with respect the frame 18 and that handle 26 has a virtualcenter of rotation with respect to plate 54. By choosing the geometriesof the strips, these two virtual centers can be made to lie close toeach other, as well as to the virtual centers shown in FIGS. 47A and47B.

Thus, in addition to being based on the constraint map of FIG. 26, thisembodiment also provides a virtual center of rotation as discussedabove. This design shown in FIGS. 9-11, 47A and 47B, and 48A and 48Bmakes use of flexure based transmission strips, such as any of thosedescribed herein. FIGS. 51A and 51B and 52A and 52B illustrate othervariations of apparatuses having parallel kinematics with two rotationalDoF (pitch and yaw) based on the constraint map of FIG. 26. For example,in FIG. 51A includes a handle that may be connected to a floating plate26′. When floating plate 26′ is rotated about yaw and pitch rotationalaxes, a first intermediate member or plate 54′ only experiences the yawrotation part of the overall input motion while rejecting the pitchrotation component, whereas a second intermediate member or plate 56′only experiences the pitch rotation part of the overall motion whilerejecting the yaw rotation component. Cables (not shown) maymechanically couple to the first and second intermediate members 54′,56′ then transmit the separate pitch and yaw rotational motions to theend effector 12. The floating plate 26′ of the VC mechanism may beconnected to the intermediate member 54′ via a first set of connectors58′. Connectors 58′ may be such that they transmit a yaw rotation fromthe floating plate 26′ to the first intermediate member 54′ because theconnectors 58′ are stiff in that direction. The first intermediatemember 54′ may be connected to the frame 18′ via a second set ofconnectors 60′. Because the connectors 58′ are compliant in the pitchdirection and the connectors 60′ are stiff with respect to pitchrotation relative to the frame 18′, any pitch rotation of the floatingplate 26′ does not get transmitted to the first intermediate member 54′.FIGS. 52A and 52B show another variation similar to that in FIGS. 51Aand 51B, having sets of connectors 58″, 62″ that have a slightlydifferent geometry.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13, yet another variation of VC mechanism 16is shown. This VC mechanism 16 provides a method to transmit the pitchand yaw rotations about the respective fixed axes, actuated by theuser's hand via the handle 24, to the end effector 12. This may beaccomplished by resolving the user input (which can be a generalcombination of pitch and yaw rotations) into two clearly separatedsingle rotations about their fixed respective axes. The VC mechanism 16includes two fixed orthogonal pivots whose extended lines of rotationintersect, and thus create a virtual center, at the location of theuser's wrist. This VC mechanism 16 ensures that the handle 24, andtherefore the user's hand, is allowed to move as if virtually pivotedabout a point located at the user's wrist. It should be noted that thehandle 24 in this embodiment can move in towards or out away from thearm attachment location with respect to the frame, allowing the tool 10to naturally adapt to a wide range of user hand and arm sizes, andensuring that there is no restriction to the natural range of motion ofthe user's wrist.

Referring again to FIGS. 12 and 13, the handle 24 and the floating plate26 may be connected to a first, pitch connector 66 and a second, yawconnector 68 as shown. Each connector 66, 68 may in turn be pinned aboutshafts 70, 72 on the respective pitch 74 and yaw 76 axes, wherein thepitch shaft 70 may receive a pitch axis pulley 78 and the yaw shaft 72may receive a yaw axis pulley 80. The shafts 70, 72 are connected to theframe 18, which is secured to the user's arm, such that the rotationsare relative to the VC mechanism 16 itself. The pitch connector 66 isstiff about the pitch axis, but is compliant about the yaw axis,allowing for the transmission of only the pitch component of therotation while filtering the yaw component by allowing unconstrainedrotation of the pitch connector 66 about the yaw axis. The opposite istrue for the yaw connector 68, which will strictly transmit any yawcomponent of rotation while it will reject any pitch component ofrotation. This design reduces the one 2-DoF transmission design problem,which has to transmit two rotations at the same time, into two 1-DoFtransmission design problems, each of which have to transmit only onerotation independent of the other, such that the motion and force inputsabout fixed axes may be easily transmitted to the end effector 12. Mostimportantly, the resulting virtual center location remains static withrespect to the tool frame 18 (and therefore the user's forearm when theuser's hand holds the handle) at all times, and therefore may bereferred to as the “fixed axis” VC mechanism.

As such, this fixed axes VC mechanism 16 provides a mechanical filteringarrangement such that, given any general combination of yaw and pitchrotations to the handle 24 via the user's hand, only the yaw componentof that rotation is seen by the yaw connector 68 while the pitchcomponent of the overall rotation is rejected and not experienced aboutthe yaw axis 76, and only the pitch component is seen by the pitchconnector 66 while the yaw component is rejected and not experiencedabout the pitch axis 74. In the end, the combined yaw and pitchrotations of the handle 24 may be separated into a pure yaw rotationabout the yaw axis 76 and a pure pitch rotation about the pitch axis 74.Now, the rotations about the respective pitch and yaw axes 74, 76 may beused to transmit the desired yaw and pitch rotations to the pitch andyaw axes of the end effector 12. In particular, the rotations producedat the pitch and yaw axis pulleys 78, 80 may be individually transmittedto the end effector 12 using a cable arrangement (not shown) similar tothe one described above.

With this fixed axes embodiment, the orthogonal pitch and yaw axes ofrotation intersect at a desirable location in space, providing thedesired VC mechanism 16 behavior. This location can be made to coincidewith a user's wrist when the user holds the handle and his/her forearminterfaces the frame via the forearm attachment member 20. In addition,since the axes are fixed, the location of the virtual center will remainstationary throughout the range of motion of the VC mechanism 16. Thegeometry of the connectors 66, 68 is such that they do not impose anyconstraint to translational motion along the tool axis 52 (orequivalently the roll axis), allowing for handle 24 to be adjustablyheld by the user depending on the user's hand size/length. Lastly, thefixed axes of rotation provide a simple transmission method that canindependently transmit pitch and yaw components of a rotational input bythe user to the end effector 12 while maintaining a constanttransmission cable length.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 2 DoF (pitch andyaw) output joint 32 for motion output at the end effector 12. Theoutput joint 32 transmits roll rotation from the tool shaft 22 to theend effector 12. Since the tool shaft 22 is part of the continuous rigidstructure, and since the continuous rigid structure is securely coupledto the user's forearm, the roll rotation of the user's forearm can betransmitted to the end effector 12. Therefore, a 2-DoF rotational joint,that provides pitch and yaw rotation DoF, mounted to the in vivo portionof the tool shaft 22 may be used for this purpose. In anotherembodiment, the output joint 32 may be provided with a third DoF (rollrotation), along with an appropriate method for coupling this rollrotation to a corresponding roll rotation by the user at the tool'sinput end 14.

As mentioned above, FIG. 12 is also an example of an embodiment of aparallel kinematic mechanism based on the constraint map of FIG. 26.This mechanism 16 provides a method to resolve pitch and roll rotationsat the handle 24 into a pitch only rotation at pulley 78 and roll onlyrotation at pulley 80. Note that pitch and yaw rotations are specificterms that may be used in place of the more generic rotation 1 androtation 2. Comparing with the constraint map of FIG. 26, that apparatusincludes a frame 18, and handle 24; in FIG. 12 the intermediate body A(referenced in FIG. 26) is pulley 78, and intermediate body B is pulley80. The pivot joint provided by pulley pin 70 is connector 1, the pivotjoint provided by pulley pin 72 is connector 2, the flexure transmissionstrip 66 is connector 3, and the flexure transmission strip 68 isconnector 4.

In this example, connector 1 (pivot joint provided by pin 70) allowspitch rotation but constrains yaw rotation between frame (frame 18) andintermediate body A (pulley 78); connector 3 (transmission strip 66)allows yaw rotation and constrains pitch rotation between intermediatebody A (pulley 78) and handle (handle 26/24); connector 2 (pivot jointprovided by pin 72) allows yaw rotation but constrains pitch rotationbetween frame (frame 18) and intermediate body B (pulley 80); connector4 (transmission strip 68) allows pitch rotation and constrains yawrotation between intermediate body B (pulley 80) and handle (floatingplate 26 and handle 24).

The transmission strip 66 (connector 3) has two ends 66′, 66″. The firstend 66′ is rigidly connected to pulley 78 (intermediate body A) and theother end 66″ is rigidly connected to the floating plate 26 which is anextension of the handle 24 (handle). Since the pulley 78 and first endof the transmission strip are rigidly connected, they became effectivelythe same rigid body (intermediate body A in the constraint map of FIG.26) and similarly since the second end of the transmission strip isrigidly connected to the handle, the two are effectively the same rigidbody (handle in the constraint map of FIG. 26). Thus, one way tophysically describe this would be to say that the connector 3 of FIG. 26is that segment of the transmission strip 66 that lies between its firstend and second end. Thus, the ends of a connector may beviewed/described as either part of the connector or the rigid body thatthe connector is attached.

Referring again to FIG. 12, the handle 24 and the floating plate 26 maybe connected to a first, pitch connector 66 and a second, yaw connector68 as shown. One end of each connector 66, 68 may in turn be pinnedabout a shaft 70, 72 (forming a pivot joint) on the respective pitch 74and yaw 76 axes, wherein the pitch shaft 70 may receive a pitch axispulley 78 and the yaw shaft 72 may receive a yaw axis pulley 80. Notethat a pulley is one variation of the more generic intermediate bodydiscussed above. In general, an intermediate body may be pulley, a gear,a pinion, a link, etc. The choice of the specific type of intermediatebody may be dictated by how one plans to transmit the rotation of theintermediate body to another location. For example, if cables or beltsare used as the transmission, the intermediate body may be a pulley. Theintermediate body may be a gear/pinion if the transmission comprises agear system.

The pitch connector 66 may be stiff about the pitch axis, but compliantabout the yaw axis, allowing for the transmission of only the pitchcomponent of the rotation while filtering the yaw component by allowingunconstrained rotation of the pitch connector 66 about the yaw axis. Theopposite is true for the yaw connector 68, which will transmit any yawcomponent of rotation while it will reject any pitch component ofrotation.

Thus, this mechanism 16 provides a mechanical filtering arrangement suchthat, given any general combination of yaw and pitch rotations at thehandle 24; only the yaw component of that rotation is seen by the yawpulley 80 while the pitch component of the overall rotation is rejected(i.e. absorbed or filtered out or not transmitted) by the flexuretransmission strip 68 and is therefore not experienced by the yaw pulley80; and only the pitch component is seen by the pitch pulley 78 whilethe yaw component of rotation is rejected (i.e. absorbed or filtered outor not transmitted) by the flexure transmission strip 66 and istherefore not experienced by the pitch pulley 78. In the end, thecombined yaw and pitch rotations of the handle 24 may be separated intoa pure yaw rotation about the yaw axis 76 at the yaw pulley 78 and apure pitch rotation about the pitch axis 74 at pitch pulley 78.

When used as the input joint/interface of aninstrument/tool/device/machine, the rotations of the pitch and yawpulleys 78, 80 about the respective pitch and yaw axes 74, 76 may beused to transmit the desired pitch and yaw rotations mechanically to aremote end effector, or electronically to a computer input device.Compared to a serial kinematic mechanism, in the case of a parallelkinematic mechanism the two axes of rotations 74 and 76 are fixed withrespect to the frame. Therefore, rotations about these axes can betransmitted via various mechanical transmission methods/systems that arepractically simple and feasible. These various transmissionmethods/systems all operate with respect to the same ground referenceframe 18. Thus, any moving components of this transmission system, allhave an axis of rotation or translation or a trajectory of motion thatis fixed with respect to this ground reference frame. That makes thetask of designing and implementing a transmission system from eachindividual axis 74 or 76 to some other location on the frame (or anextension of the frame) practically feasible.

In one instance, the rotations produced at the pitch and yaw axispulleys 78, 80 may be individually transmitted to a remote end effectorusing pitch and yaw transmission cables, respectively. This designgreatly facilitates the capturing and transmission of 2-DoF rotationalmotion of a handle with respect to a frame; doing so directly from thehandle is difficult; instead this design separates out the 2-DoFrotation into two 1-DoF rotations; these two rotations may beindividually and independently transmitted relatively easily (usingcables, or gears, or links, or electronically, or pneumatically) becausethey are now well-defined rotations about pitch and yaw rotation axesthat are fixed with respect to the frame.

While the functionality of the PK mechanism 16 described so far is aprimarily a result of the abstract constraint map of FIG. 26, there maybe additional functionalities that arise as a consequence of the actualspecific geometry and construction of the intermediate rigid bodies andconnectors in this particular embodiment. For example, this particularPK mechanism embodiment 16 may include two orthogonal pivot joints (70and 72) located on the frame 18 whose extended lines of rotationintersect, and thus create a virtual center (VC) of rotation in freespace. This mechanism 16 may ensure that the handle 24, is allowed tomove with respect to the frame as if virtually pivoted about a pointlocated at the virtual center even though there is no physical body, orentity, or joint at this location. The geometry of connectors 1 and 2(i.e. pivot joints 70 and 72) is such that if their respectiverotational axes are extrapolated, these axes intersect at a point inopen space (i.e. virtual center) where this is no other physical entity.As shown in FIG. 28 (showing the PK mechanism 16 configured as an inputjoint/interface around a human wrist), the geometry of connectors 3 and4 (i.e. flexure transmission strips 66 and 68) is such that the handleis located a bit further away from the frame and the said virtualcenter. This allows for a PK mechanism that not only achieves thedecoupling/separation/filtering between the two rotations (rotations 1and 2), it also provides a center of rotation for the handle (which hastwo rotational DoF—rotation 1 and rotation 2, or pitch and yaw) to beabout a virtual center located in free space.

This functionality may be leveraged in a situation where it is desiredto have the handle rotate about a certain specific location or range oflocations. One example is where this mechanism 16 may be used as aninput interface (as discussed above) to capture and transmit thearticulation of a human wrist, for example in the control of ajoy-stick, or control of a remote steerable end effector, or control ofan electronic pointing device such as a computer mouse, etc. In such anapplication it may be beneficial to locate the virtual center providedby the mechanism in proximity to the center of human wrist joint, as theuser's hand holds the handle 24. This arrangement would allow the humanto articulate his/her hand about his/her wrist in a natural mannerwithout the mechanism 16 restricting this articulation motion in anyway. Furthermore, the two DoF rotational motion of the human hand aboutthe human wrist is transferred to the handle that is held by the humanhand; this two DoF rotational motion of the handle is then mechanicallyseparated into a yaw only motion at yaw pulley 80 and pitch only motionat the pitch pulley 78. These two rotational motions thus separated areabout rotational axes 74 and 78, and can then be transmittedindividually with relative ease (using cables, or gears, or links, orelectronically, or pneumatically, for example). These various methods oftransmission are described in subsequent sections.

Virtual center functionality may also be beneficial when a mechanism 16such as the one shown in FIG. 12 is used as an output interface/joint ofa tool/machine/instrument/device. For example, a machine used for therehabilitative therapy of a human articulating joint (see, e.g. FIGS.29A and 29B showing use with an ankle joint) after injury. In FIG. 29A,the handle 2924 can interface with a human foot via straps or othersecurement means and the frame 2918 can interface with a human leg(e.g., ankle, shin, etc.) via straps or other securement means. Theoverall location of the mechanism 2916 can be such that the center ofrotation of the ankle joint is approximately colocated with the virtualcenter provided by the PK mechanism 2916. The construction of themechanism remains the same as that shown in FIG. 12 and follows theconstraint map of FIG. 26. However, this example may include a pitchmotor 2915 at the pivot joint (or connector 1) between the frame andintermediate body A (first end of transmission strip 2966). A yaw motor(not visible) may also or alternatively be included at the pivot jointbetween the frame and intermediate body B (first end of transmissionstrip 2968). As shown in FIG. 29A and 29B, intermediate body A here isthe first end of transmission strip 2966. Recall that in reference toFIG. 12, the pulley 78 and first end of transmission strip 66 arerigidly attached, and therefore constitute a single rigid body(intermediate body A). In FIGS. 29A and 29B, a pulley is not included(although it could have been shown without introducing any discrepancywith respect to previous description) and instead we just show the firstend of the transmission strip 2966. A stator (or body or housing) of thepitch motor is attached to the frame while the rotor (shaft 2955) of themotor is attached to the first end of the transmission strip 2966(intermediate body A). Similarly, a stator (or body or housing) of theyaw motor may be attached to the frame while the rotor (shaft 2955′) ofthe yaw motor may be attached to the first end of the transmission strip2968 (intermediate body B). The rotational joint and associated axisbetween the rotor and stator of the pitch motor may serve as the pivotjoint (connector 1) between the frame and intermediate body A. In theother words, either pivot joints (or connector 1 and/or connector 2) arenow powered or actuated joints/connectors. There are many different waysof constructing/materializing such powered pivot joints. In all casesthough, the logic of the constraint map (FIG. 26) is preserved by thisconfiguration.

The two rotations (pitch rotations and yaw rotations), independentlygenerated by the respective actuators (pitch motor and yaw motor), aremechanically combined via the PK mechanism 2916 as described above, andare conveyed to the handle 2924. Because the handle 2924 is coupled tothe foot, precise and known amounts of pitch and yaw rotations (andtorques), as desired/indicated by a physician or medical personnel, canbe transmitted from the motors to the foot of the patient to help buildstrength of the damaged ankle joint and associatedtendons/ligaments/muscles. Generating a two-DoF rotation (and associatedtorque) at the handle directly (and therefore the human foot, in thiscase) is difficult, but the PK mechanism 16 permits the use of twoindependent single DoF rotations (produced by single DoF motors) thatget combined and transmitted to the handle (and therefore foot) withrelative ease. Colocation of center of the ankle joint with the virtualcenter ensures a natural and unrestricted range of rotation for anklejoint during such a procedure.

In general the virtual center functionality of the parallel kinematicmechanism of FIG. 12 may be beneficial as part of a wearable outputinterface/joint. In addition to the leg/ankle example shown in FIGS. 29Aand 29B, FIG. 29C shows an apparatus having a parallel kinematicmechanism that is configured with the constraint map of FIG. 26 for useas an output interface/joint of a power lift assist device. For example,an exoskeleton or other assistive tools/machines/devices, which may bereferred to as powered exo-skeletons, may incorporate this mechanism.The mechanism 16 can be used in a similar application where the handle2924′ can interface with a human wrist/forearm location via straps orother securement means and the frame 2918′ can interface with a humanshoulder via straps or other securement means. The overall location ofthe mechanism 2916′ can be such that the center of rotation of theshoulder ball and socket joint is approximately colocated with thevirtual center provided by the mechanism. The construction of themechanism remains the same as that shown in FIG. 12 and follows theconstraint map of FIG. 26. A pitch motor may be included at the pivotjoint 2970 (or connector 1) between the frame and intermediate body A.Additionally or alternatively, a yaw motor may be included at the pivotjoint (e.g., connector 2) between the frame and intermediate body B. Asshown in FIG. 29C, intermediate body A here is the same as the first endof transmission strip 2966′. Recall in reference to FIG. 12, the pulley78 and first end of transmission strip 66 are rigidly attached, andtherefore constitute a single rigid body (intermediate body A). Asdiscussed above two rigid bodies may be considered equivalent if theyare rigidly attached to each other.

In FIG. 29C, a pulley (such as the pulley 78 shown in FIG. 12) is notshown, although it could have been shown without introducing anydiscrepancy with respect to the previous description, and instead wejust show the first end of the transmission strip. The stator (or bodyor housing) of the pitch motor is attached to the frame while the rotor(shaft) of the motor is attached to the first end of the transmissionstrip (intermediate body A). The rotational joint and associated axisbetween the rotor and stator of the motor serve as the pivot joint(connector 1) between the frame and intermediate body A. In the otherwords, this pivot joint (or connector 1) is now a powered or actuatedjoint. There are many different ways of constructing/materializing sucha powered pivot joint, and this is just one way. In all cases though,the logic of the constraint map (FIG. 26) is preserved. A yaw motor anda yaw rotation axis may be included in the apparatus shown in FIG. 29C.

These two rotations (pitch rotations and yaw rotations), independentlygenerated by the respective actuators (motors), are mechanicallycombined via the PK mechanism 2916 as described above, and are conveyedto the handle 2924′. Because the handle 2924′ is coupled to the humanwrist/forearm, the torques applied by these actuators can assist theuser in lifting heavy weights. Applying these two torques (pitch torqueand yaw torque) at the handle is difficult, but the PK mechanism 2916′permits the use of two independent rotations (and corresponding torques)that get combined and transmitted to the handle with relative ease.Colocation of center of the shoulder joint with the virtual center ofthe PK mechanism ensures a natural and unrestricted range of rotationfor shoulder joint during such a procedure.

In an alternate application, the arrangement shown in FIG. 29C may beused as an input joint/interface as opposed to an outputjoint/interface. In that case, instead of actuators or motors betweenframe and intermediate body A, and between frame and intermediate bodyB, one or more sensors, such as optical encoders or potentiometers thatwould measure the pitch and yaw rotation angles of the shoulder joint,may be included. This information could then be transmittedelectrically/electronically/wirelessly as an input to a computercontrolled system. Alternatively or additionally, the pitch and yawrotations could be mechanically transmitted via cables/pulleys, gearchain, belts, linkage, etc. to a remote end effector of interest, asdescribed later.

The PK mechanism embodiments shown above in FIG. 29C, which may includea VC, may result in a virtual center location that remains fixed withrespect to the tool frame 2918′. This may be helpful in the variousapplication examples described above. Since the two orthogonal axesprovided by the pivot joints 2970 and 2972 are fixed with respect to theframe, the location of the virtual center of rotation of the handle withrespect to the frame will remain stationary throughout the range ofrotation of the handle with respect to the frame provided by themechanism 2916.

When any P-K mechanism embodying the constraint map of FIG. 26 is usedan input or output joint/interface in a tool/machine/device, then, inaddition to retaining all the functionality described above, there maybe a need to provide the ability for the handle to translate along athird axis with respect to the frame. The third axis may be one that isorthogonal to two axes of rotations referred to in the description ofthe constraint map of FIG. 26.

For example, consider the mechanism of the FIGS. 12 and 13. In thisexample the third axis may be as shown by the dashed line 1305 in FIG.12. If 74 and 76 are referred to as the pitch and yaw axes,respectively, then this third axis can be referred to as the roll axis(per generally used and known terminology). Per the constraint map ofFIG. 26, connector 3 (i.e. the transmission strip 66 of FIG. 12) it isstiff about the pitch axis or rotation direction, which is the same assaying that it transmits pitch rotation; it is also compliant about theyaw axis or rotational direction, which is the same as saying that itabsorbs or does not transmit yaw rotation. Similarly, connector 4 in theconstraint map of FIG. 26 (i.e. the transmission strip 68 of FIG. 12) isstiff about the yaw axis or rotation direction, which is the same assaying that it transmits yaw rotation; also it is compliant about thepitch axis or rotational direction, which is the same as saying that itabsorbs or does not transmit pitch rotation. Additionally, these twoconnectors (i.e. transmission strips) may be compliant in translationalong the roll axis, which is the same as saying that they allowtranslation along the roll axis. In fact, the geometry of theconnectors/transmission strips 66, 68 (as shown in their bentconfiguration in FIG. 17) is such that they do not impose any constraintagainst translation along the roll axis, allowing for handle 24 toadjustably be located within a certain range along the roll axis withrespect to the frame 18. Thus, the handle 24 can translate towards orout away from the frame 18, while retaining all relevant functionalitydescribed above. In other words, the PK mechanism of FIG. 12 and theexamples shown in FIGS. 28 and 29A-29C also provides a translational DoFalong the roll axis between the handle and the frame.

One example where such added functionality would be useful can bedescribed with reference to FIG. 28, to allow differently sized users tooperate the apparatus. For example, when this PK mechanism is used aninput interface/joint in a tool/machine/device, where a user's handholds the handle and the user's forearm interfaces with the frame,thereby approximately positioning the virtual center provided by the PKmechanism close to the center of his/her wrist joint. In such asituation, a translational DoF provided by the PK mechanism along theroll axis, may allow users of different hand sizes to interface withthis PK mechanism with relative ease. A user with a longer hand can holdthe handle a bit further away from the frame, while retaining anapproximate colocation between the mechanism's VC and his/her wrist.Similarly, a user with a shorter hand can hold the handle a bit closerto the frame, while retaining an approximate colocation between themechanism's VC and his/her wrist. This would maintain all thefunctionality of the mechanism as described above without restrictingthe range of rotation about the pitch and yaw axes.

Similarly, if this PK mechanism were used around a human foot (as in theoutput joint/interface shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B), then the additionaltranslational DoF along roll axis between the handle and frame makes thePK mechanism easily adaptable to a wide range of foot sizes, without anyloss in the above-described functionality of the PK mechanism. Thetranslational DoF along the roll axis may be relevant and useful evenwhen a human hand or foot is not involved.

When any parallel kinematic (PK) mechanism following the constraint mapof FIG. 26 is used an input or output mechanism/device in a tool,machine or device, then in addition to retaining all the functionalitydescribed above there may be a need to provide the ability for thehandle to transmit a rotation from the handle to the frame (and viceversa) about a third axis. The third axis may be one that is orthogonalto two axes of rotations referred to in the description of theconstraint map of FIG. 26.

Using a specific example to explain this, consider the mechanism of theFIGS. 12 and 13. In this example, the third axis may be as shown by thedashed line 1305 in FIG. 12. If 74 and 76 are referred to as the pitchand yaw axes, respectively, then this third axis can be referred to asthe roll axis as discussed above. Per the constraint map of FIG. 26,connector 3 (i.e. the transmission strip 66 of FIG. 12) is stiff aboutthe pitch axis or rotation direction, which is the same as saying thatit transmits pitch rotation; also it is compliant about the yaw axis orrotational direction, which is the same as saying that it absorbs ordoes not transmit yaw rotation. Similarly, connector 4 (e.g. thetransmission strip 68 of FIG. 12) is stiff about the yaw axis orrotation direction, which is the same as saying that it transmits yawrotation; also it is compliant about the pitch axis or rotationaldirection, which is the same as saying that it absorbs or does nottransmit pitch rotation. Additionally, either or both these connectors(i.e. transmission strips) may be stiff in rotation about the roll axis,which is the same as saying that they transmit rotation about the rollaxis. In fact, the geometry of the connectors/transmission strips 66, 68(as shown in in FIG. 12) is such that they can transmit roll rotation.The individual pivot joints in each transmission strip (described indetail below) may be, e.g., traditional pin joints or a living hingejoint. As long as each of these individual joints constrains (andtherefore transmits) roll rotation, the entire strip will also do thesame. However, strictly speaking only one of the two strips needs toconstrain (therefore transmit) roll rotation. In practice, it may bebeneficial to have both strips constrain (and therefore transmit) roll.In practice, it might be even more beneficial to have four transmissionstrips constrain (and therefore transmit) roll, as in the case of the PKmechanism shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B. With such transmission strips, thePK mechanism of FIG. 12 (or alternatively FIGS. 28, 29A-29C oralternatively 30A and 30B) allows rotations along pitch and yaw axes (ormore generally rotation 1 and rotation 2 in FIG. 26); in other words itprovide DoF along these two rotational directions; AND at the same timeoffer a constraint along the roll axis (or more generally rotation 3)between the handle and the frame; in other words, it transmits rotation3 from the handle to the frame and vice versa.

One example where such added functionality would be useful can bedescribed with reference to FIG. 28. If in a certain application, whenthis PK mechanism is used an input interface/joint in atool/machine/device, where a user's hand holds the handle andapproximately positions the virtual center provided by the mechanismclose to the center of his/her wrist joint. In such a situation,transmission of roll provided by the PK mechanism from handle to framealong the roll axis, allows the user to affect the roll of the frame byjust rolling the handle with his/her thumb, fingers, and/or hand. Thus,while maintaining all the functionality of the mechanism as describedabove, this feature provides the additional functionality where the usercan drive/affect the roll of the frame by providing a roll rotation atthe handle. In this case, the interface/coupling provided by the armattachment member between the proximal end of the frame and the userforearm should allow at least a roll rotational DoF, to allow the frameto freely rotate about the roll axis with respect to the forearm.

Reference to a user and user's hand and wrist was made simply to explainsignificance of the additional functionality. Such functionality isrelevant even when a human hand is not involved.

A physical embodiment that corresponds to the expanded constraint map ofFIG. 27 is shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B. Here instead of two parallelmechanical connection paths between the frame and the handle, there arefour independent parallel paths, as diagrammatically shown in FIG. 27.

For the flexure strip based PK mechanisms shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 28 and29A-29C, the flexure transmission strips can be constructed/realized inmultiple different ways. FIGS. 31A and 31B show one variation of flexuretransmission strips having rigid links 3101 separated by pins formingpivot joints 3105. The ends 3107, 3109 of the flexure transmissionstrips may be attached (e.g., rigidly attached) as described above. Thetransmission strip may be a joint or connector that allows certaindegrees of freedom and constrains the remaining degrees of freedom. Forexample, referring to FIG. 12, the transmission strip 66 (connector 3)allows yaw rotation and constrains pitch rotation and the transmissionstrip 68 (connector 4) allows pitch rotation and constrains yawrotation. In some variations, the basic construction of a stripcomprises an alternating chain of rigid segments/links/elements andhinge/pivot/pin joints; this can be realized in many different ways. Oneexample is shown in FIG. 31A and an exploded view of the sameconfiguration is shown in FIG. 31B.

In use, the first rigid element 3107 in the transmission strip, whichmay also be referred to as the first end of the transmission strip, isattached to an intermediate body (A or B) of the PK mechanism (e.g., asshown in FIGS. 12, 28 and 29A-29C), and the last rigid element 3109 inthe transmission strip, which may also be referred to as the second endof the transmission strip, is attached to the handle of the PKmechanism, as shown in FIGS. 12, 28 and 29A-29C. The rigid segments 1301are rigid in a practical sense, i.e. much stiffer than the otherassociated elements/features in the construction. For example, eachpivot joint provides low resistance or low stiffness in one rotationaldirection; in contrast, the rigid segments have a much higher stiffnessabout this rotational direction and a similarly high stiffness along allother directions. The rigid segments may be made out of any materialsuch as plastic (e.g. delrin, nylon, polypropylene, ultem, polyethylene,etc.), metal (e.g. steel, aluminum, copper, etc.), wood, ceramic,composite, etc. and may be provided with a geometry that ensures maximumrigidity with minimum material utilization.

In a transmission strip such as the one shown in FIG. 31A, there willare at least two rigid segments interconnected by one pivot joint. Ingeneral, there can be many alternating rigid segments and pivot joints,dictated by the nature of application that the PK mechanism would beemployed in.

All the pivot joints in a transmission strip have rotational axes thatare aligned in the same direction (e.g. rotation direction R_(x)) andare therefore parallel, see, e.g., the axes X (3111), Y (3113), Z (3115)in FIG. 31B. In other words, all the pivot joints have a rotational DoFabout this rotation axis X (e.g. the pivot joints of the transmissionstrip 68 in FIG. 12 have a rotational axis along the pitch rotationdirection). As mentioned, the pivot joints may have axes that are notall parallel to each other.

The constraint map of FIG. 26 calls for a connector (e.g. connector 3 or4) that at the very least allows one rotation, e.g. about direction X(3111) and constrains a second rotation, e.g. about direction Y (3113),between its first end and its second end. Note that between connectors 3and 4, the definition of directions X and Y is interchanged. However, inaddition to these two directions, certain additional functionality ofthe PK mechanism may require the connectors 3 and/or 4 to alsoconstraint a third rotation (e.g. about direction Z 3115 in FIG. 31B).Rotation between first end and second end of the transmission stripabout direction Z may also be referred to as twisting of thetransmission strip. In many applications it may be important to transmitthe third rotation from a handle to frame or vice-versa, as describedearlier. In those cases, it becomes important that the construction ofthe transmission strip (at least one of the strips, and potentially allof the strips) be such that the relative rotation between the first endand second end of the strip about the Z direction is constrained, whenthe strip is bent (e.g., FIG. 31A) as well straight (e.g., FIG. 32A). Inother words, the twisting stiffness or resistance of the transmissionstrip may be high.

For example, compare the transmission strip 66 (connector 3) of FIG. 12to transmission strip of FIG. 31A. A first end of strip 66 (connector 3)is rigidly connected to pulley 78 (intermediate body A), which in turnis connected to frame 18 via a pivot joint 70 (connector 1). Pivot 70allows rotation about pitch axis (rotation 1) and constrains rotationabout yaw axis (rotation 2). Strip 66 (connector 3) itself allows (i.e.is compliant) about yaw axis (rotation 2) and restricts (i.e., is stiff)about the pitch axis (rotation 1). When comparing to FIG. 31B, rotation2 is direction X and rotation 1 is direction Y. This description wouldbe reversed when considering the transmission strip 68 (connector 4) ofFIG. 12.

In general, the pivot joints and rigid segments can be realized in oneof many different ways. For example, a simple pivot joint may be usedthat employs a pin as shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B. This is a traditionalpin joint. Advantages of this choice include that this joint providesvery low stiffness or resistance about rotational axis X and very highstiffness in the other rotational directions, Y and Z. This helps meetthe functionality requirement of the overall strip that it should allowrotation X and constrain rotation about orthogonal directions Y and Z.In reference to the transmission strips described herein, the term“axis” generally refers to a specific line; for example, in FIG. 31B,each line 3119 is in the same direction (e.g., direction X, 3111) but isa distinct axis.

Transmission strips such as those shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B may havesome small friction in the joints, resulting in some of the joints to bestuck in a certain position. This can result in the entire strip gettingcollapsed into an undesired shape. This issue can generally be addressedvia appropriate lubrication, material choice, and dimensionaltolerancing of the pins and mating holes. Furthermore, to ensure thatthe transmission strip retains a gradual shape rather than collapse, alight (weak) spring action may be included in bending about the Xdirection. This spring action may provide a restoring effect to theshape of the strip. This can be accomplished via tiny torsional springsincorporated in each individual pivot joint. Alternatively, it can beaccomplished by coupling a flexible element along the length of thestrip, where this flexible element offers some small bending stiffnesswith respect to direction X. This flexible element could be a thin wire,rod, strip, tubing, coil-spring, etc. made of metal or plastic or otherappropriate materials. This element would provide a spring like actionto the overall strip, providing form and shape so that the strip doesnot collapse. In given applications such as FIGS. 28 and 29A-29C, thisdefined shape and absence of collapsing may help avoid interferencewith, for example, the human hand or foot that is interfaced with theparallel kinematic mechanism.

Other examples of a transmission strip construction where the pivotjoints employ pins or traditional hinges are shown in FIGS. 32A-33C.

For example, other pivot joint designs are shown in FIG. 32A-33C wherethe pivot joint employs a pin but the rigid segments are shaped suchthat bending in only an upwards direction (arrows in FIG. 33C) isallowed and bending downwards is restricted by interference betweenconsecutive rigid segments.

All of the pin-based pivot designs shown above provide excellentstiffness about rotational axes Y and Z. In other words, bendingstiffness about Y direction and twisting stiffness about the Z directionare very high, as desired by the constraint map and functionalitydescribed previously. Rotation about X direction is allowed, or in otherwords, stiffness/resistance in bending about direction X is low.Additionally, this construction constrains relative translations,between the first and second ends of the strip, along the Y and Zdirections. Relative translation between the first and second ends ofthe strip along the X direction is constrained/restricted (i.e. highstiffness) when the strip is laid out straight (e.g. as shown in FIGS.32A, 33A and 33B). However, when the strip is in a bent configuration(e.g. FIG. 31A), relative translation between the first and second endsof the strip along the X direction becomes allowable.

A transmission strip may alternatively or additionally include a livinghinge (also known as flexure hinge) as the pivot joints. The rigidsegments may be assembled with the living hinges (i.e., the rigidsegments and living hinges may be separate components that aresequentially assembled to construct a transmission strip).Alternatively, the transmission strip can be made monolithic i.e. therigid segments and pivot joints made out of the same material by simplyvarying the geometry along the length of the strip. The advantage of aliving hinge is that it is free of friction, wear, and backlash.Furthermore, a living hinge may provide some inherent bending stiffnessabout the X rotational direction. This results in the overalltransmission strip assuming a well-defined shape and not collapsing onitself. In some applications, such as the apparatuses shown in FIGS. 28and 29A-29C, this defined shape and absence of collapsing may help avoidinterference with, for example, the hand or foot that is interfaced withthe parallel kinematic mechanism. A monolithic transmission strip may bemade of plastic, metal, or composite materials. Or alternatively atransmission strip with living hinges may be assembled from discretecomponents of living hinges and rigid segments.

A monolithic transmission strip that employs flexure hinges as the pivotjoints is shown in FIGS. 34B-41. As shown progressively in FIGS. 34A and34B, a strip of appropriate material (e.g., plastic) with uniformthickness may be machined to a smaller thickness at specific locationsto produce living hinges at these locations. The material has to bechosen appropriately to provide adequate strength and robustness againstfailure, fatigue resistance, small rotational stiffness in the desiredbending direction X, and high rotational stiffness about the other tworotational directions. Materials that are typically suitable for livinghinges include plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, andpolyolefin. The material may bend along the living hinge axes, all alongthe X direction, while the thicker sections of the strip will serve asthe rigid sections (for example 3406 in FIGS. 34D and 35). One of theadvantages of a monolithic living hinge transmission strip design isthat it can be fabricated as a single piece/component via acost-effective, volume-production method such as injection molding. Somemore examples of such transmission strips are shown in FIGS. 34D, 35,37A-37D, 39 and 40.

For example in FIGS. 34D and 35, the transmission strip is formed from apolymeric (e.g., plastic) material having living hinge regions 3405. Inthese examples the strip includes pockets or windows cut out in therigid segments to provide weight reduction while maintaining the desiredstiffness/rigidity is maintained. The first end and second end of thetransmission strips show a pin based pivot joint 3407, 3409 forinterfacing with other bodies such as the handle and transmissionpulleys (intermediate bodies A or B, in FIG. 12).

FIG. 34D also shows that in any of the transmission strips describedherein, different pivot joints may be used, i.e. in the same strip onecould use a combination of pin based pivot joints and living hinge basedpivot joints. Furthermore, a living hinge may be optimized to reducestress, increase fatigue life, reduce or optimize stiffness inrotation/bending about X direction, maximize stiffness in rotation(bending about Y and twisting about Z). For example, the thickness,width, and length of the living hinge may be varied, as shown in FIG.34D. Furthermore, various shapes of the living hinge may be used, asshown in FIG. 36 (i)-(iv). In this example, FIG. 36 (iii) is similar tothe variation shown in FIGS. 34D, 35, 38. In FIG. 36, sections throughthe living hinge region show that the depth, profile and width may bevaried.

FIGS. 37A-37D show other variations of living hinges or flexure hinges.In FIGS. 37A and 37B, for example, the strip has a deep grooves on oneside to allow bending in the upwards direction but limits bending in thedownward direction. The strip in FIG. 37C shows a symmetric living hingegeometry that allows upwards as well as downwards bending. FIG. 37Dshows a living hinge having a smooth surface on the bottom side, whichmight be desirable in certain applications. For example, in the FIGS.12, 18 and 29A-29C, it may be desirable to keep the side of thetransmission strip that faces the user's hand smooth to avoid pinching.

Other variations of the living hinge include a geometry where the livinghinge includes discrete sections extending between the rigid portions.For example, FIG. 38 shows transmission strips with living hinges, eachof which are formed with two segments 3805, 3805′ along their length (asdefined in FIG. 34D).

The shape and geometry of the rigid section may also be varied. Asmentioned above, the transmission strips may include rigid segments thathave cut-outs or windows through them. The rigid segments may also bemade of the same material as the flexure hinge. The base material (e.g.,plastics, etc.) may be made more rigid by making the entire stripthicker; the weight may be reduced by including cut-out windows in therigid segments. These window cutouts may help reduce the weight but donot significantly affect the stiffness of the rigid segments, such asshown in FIGS. 39 and 40. Other geometric features (cut-outs, holes,windows, patterns, truss structure, ribs, etc.) may be created on therigid segments for reasons of functionality, manufacturability,aesthetics, etc. In particular, the transmission strips and thereforethe rigid segments may have a high stiffness in bending about the Ydirection and twisting about the Z direction.

FIGS. 39 and 40 show configurations of transmission strips where therigid segments have a geometry that reduces weight, yet providestructural stiffness especially for twisting about the Z direction, andare conducive to a manufacturing process such as plastic injectionmolding.

The lengths of the rigid segments 4101, 4103, 4105, 4107 may be variedfrom one segment to another segment, as shown in FIG. 41. Suchvariation, which also affects the number and location of the pivotjoints along the length of the strip, can help optimize functionality(desired stiffness characteristics), manufacturability, aesthetics etc.of the transmission strip, including avoiding interference with, forexample, a hand or foot that is interfaced with the parallel kinematicmechanism under consideration.

Furthermore, the shape of the rigid segments may be varied from onesegment to another segment. Although most figures here show the rigidsegments to flat and square/rectangular in shape; in practice, they mayhave any general shape dictated by the application as long as they areadequately stiff. One example may be seen in the transmission strips ofFIG. 12 and FIGS. 30A and 30B, where the rigid segment in the middle ofeach transmission strip is curved rather than flat.

Rigid segments may also or alternatively be reinforced with a stiffermaterial such as metal, ceramic, carbon-fiber. Metal based reinforcementis shown in FIGS. 42A-42D. These reinforcements further improve thebending stiffness of the strip about the Y direction, and moreimportantly the twisting stiffness of the strip (between its first andsecond ends) about the Z direction. The reinforcement material (themetal squares in this case) may be attached via rivets as shown FIG. 42Bor via screws, adhesives, or any other attachment method. A transmissionstrip that employs living hinges as the pivot joints may be formed froma thin strip of compliant material and selectively reinforced along itslength. The sections of the strip that are not reinforced may serve asthe living hinge. Material, thickness, length, and width of thisnon-reinforced section can be chosen to optimize its performancecharacteristics to provide the desired flexure strip level desiredfunctionality in terms of stiffness, fatigue strength, aesthetics,maintaining shape (i.e. not collapsing) etc.

For example, the thin sheet of compliant material may be nylon, Teflon,polypropylene, polyethylene, polyolefin, carbon fiber etc., or a wovenfabric strip (which may be made of these materials). The reinforcementmaterial to create the rigid sections may be made of any appropriate(e.g., stiff) material. For example, see FIGS. 43A and 43B, showingattachment of metal rigid sections to the compliant base materialforming the living hinge. In some variations the thin sheet of compliantmaterial forming the living hinge may be made of metal e.g. spring steelas shown in FIGS. 44A and 44B. Various materials may be used forreinforcement (not shown) to create the rigid sections. Alternatively,starting from a metal strip, the geometry could be progressively cut andstamped into a shape such that there are flanges and ribs on the rigidsegments that provide rigidity while the metal strip is left as such atthe living hinge locations to provide the desired compliance in bending,e.g., about the X direction.

FIGS. 45A-45D show another variation of a transmission strip having aliving hinge. In FIG. 45A the transmission strip is composed of acontinuous resin-infused cloth strip (e.g. made of nylon fiber) andrepeating units of rigid segments (or shells or links) bonded to thecloth strip. This forms a series of living hinges with each hinge axisparallel with all other hinges within the strip permitting the strip tobe flexible only about the X direction. Multiple rigid links 4603 arefirst made or printed. A resin infused strip 4605 is inserted into therigid link shell. Successive links are kept separated by the appropriatedistance to yield the desire living hinge 4607 dimensions. Epoxy is thenused to attach the cloth strip to the rigid link shells, and theassembly is allowed to set. The construction where a woven fabric stripis used as the compliant element can produce a transmission strip thathas the desired low stiffness in bending about the X direction, desiredhigh stiffness in bending about the Y direction. Depending on thedimensions and construction, twisting stiffness about the Z directionmay or may not be high.

In addition to the variations described above, other transmission stripembodiments may also be used. For example plastic or metallic watchstraps/bands may provide the desired transmission strip functionality,having an alternating sequence of the rigid segments and pin based pivotjoints. Rubber/plastic timing belts may also be used, having analternating sequence of relatively rigid segments (thick) and livinghinge (thin) based pivot joints. Machine/bicycle chains having analternating sequence of rigid segments and pin-based pivot joints mayalso be used. Flexible tracks may also have an alternating sequence ofthe rigid segments and pin based pivot joints, and may also be used.

FIG. 53 illustrates another variation of a PK mechanism that follows theconstraint map of FIG. 26 and also provides a virtual center ofrotation. In this variation, between the handle 5301 and the frame 5305,there are two parallel (or independent) mechanical connection paths. Asa result of this construction, the mechanism provides two rotationaldegrees of freedom of the handle with respect to the frame. These tworotations are marked as “Pitch rotation” (rotation 1 of FIG. 26) and“yaw rotation” (rotation 2 of FIG. 26). One path of connection betweenthe frame and the handle (the upper path shown in the constraint map ofFIG. 26) connects the frame 5305 to intermediate body A 5309 viaconnector 1 5307, which is a pin/pivot joint. This joint allows relativepitch rotation between frame and intermediate body A 5309, butconstrains (and therefore transmits) yaw rotation between the two.Intermediate body A 5309 is connected to the handle 5301 via connector 35311, which is another pin/pivot joint. This joint allows relative yawrotation between intermediate body A 5309 and the handle 5301, butconstrains (and therefore transmits) pitch rotation between the two. Thesecond path of connection between the frame 5305 and the handle 5301(corresponding to the lower path shown in the constraint map of FIG. 26)corresponds to the connection from the frame 5305 to intermediate body B5313 via connector 2 5315, which is a pin/pivot joint. This joint allowsrelative yaw rotation between frame 5305 and intermediate body B 5313,but constrains (and therefore transmits) pitch rotation between the two.Intermediate body B 5313 is connected to the handle 5301 via connector 45317. Connector 4 (5317) is a kind of joint or connection, commonlyreferred to as a flexible torsion shaft or simply flexible shaft. Thisflexible shaft has two ends. The first end is rigidly attached tointermediate body B 5313 and the second end is rigidly attached to thehandle. Between these two ends is a flexible shaft segment that allowscertain motions and constrains other motions. This connector constrainsrotation about its torsional axis which is the same as yaw rotation axisat its second end; therefore, this connector transmits yaw rotation fromhandle to intermediate body B. At the same time flexible shaft connectoris compliant in pitch direction, or allows pitch rotation between itstwo ends.

As a result of this construction, any arbitrary combination of pitch andyaw motion at the handle with respect to the frame gets mechanicallyseparated into a pitch only rotation available at pulley A 5319 which isrigidly attached to intermediate body A (note that because of this rigidattachment, pulley A 5319 and intermediate body A 5309 are the samerigid body) and a yaw only rotation at pulley B 5313 which is rigidlyattached to intermediate body B (note that because of this rigidattachment, pulley B 5313 and intermediate body B are the same rigidbody). Thus, pulley A exhibits a pure pitch rotation with respect to theframe and pulley B exhibits a pure yaw rotation with respect to theframe. Since the axes of rotation of these two pulleys is fixed withrespect to the frame, it is practically easy to transmit these tworotations via a mechanical transmission system/method that also employsthe frame as a ground reference to another remote or distal location onthe frame.

The above example illustrates a serial kinematic design that has beenaugmented by adding an independent, non-overlapping connection path(using a flexible torsion shaft and an additional pulley B) resulting ina parallel kinematic design. The flexible torsion shaft transmitsrotations about its axis while remaining compliant in bending of itsaxis. Here, with just the frame, intermediate body A, and handle, wewould have a serial kinematic mechanism with two rotational DoF (pitchand yaw rotations) mechanism that provides a virtual center of rotation,but would have all the challenges related to transmission associatedwith serial kinematic mechanisms described earlier. In this example,intermediate body A is rigid in translation along the third axis (roll,not shown in FIG. 53) and the connectors 1 and 3 also do not allow thistranslation. Even though the other mechanical path comprising connector4 (the flexible shaft) does allow this translation, both paths have toallow this translation motion (or DoF) for the overall mechanism to alsoallow this translation motion (or DoF). Therefore, translation along theroll axis between the handle and the frame is constrained (i.e. is not aDoF, i.e. is not allowed) in this particular embodiment.

Intermediate body A is rigid in rotation about the third axis (roll,shown in FIG. 53) as well as the connectors 1 and 3 are also rigid aboutthis rotation (or in other words constrain/transmit this roll rotation.Here the other mechanical path comprising connector 4 (the flexibleshaft) does allow this roll rotation, but it takes only one path (in theoverall mechanism) to constrain relative motion. Since the first pathconstrains roll rotation between the handle and the frame, this rollrotation is constrained in the overall mechanism as well. In otherwords, roll rotation is transmitted from the handle to frame and viceversa by this PK mechanism.

FIG. 54 illustrates another example of a parallel kinematic systemconfigured according to the constraint map of FIG. 26. In this example,the first rotation (rotation 1) corresponds to the pitch rotation, thesecond rotation (rotation 2) corresponds to yaw. The frame 5401 andhandle 5403 may be similar to those described above. The intermediatebody A 5407 is a Pitch pulley and Pitch mount (the two are rigidlycoupled together) and the intermediate body B 5405 are a yaw pulley andyaw mount (the two are rigidly coupled together). Connector 1 5411corresponds to a pivot joint between Pitch pulley and frame about Pitchaxis 5412, while connector 2 5413 corresponds to a pivot joint betweenyaw pulley and frame about yaw axis 5415. Connector 3 5421 is a sliderjoint 5421 between pitch mount 5423 and handle 5403 and connector 4 5431is a Slider joint 5431 between yaw mount 5425 and handle 5403. Althoughshown to be in the shape of a semi-ring or arch in FIG. 54, the pitchmount and yaw mount can be any generic shape. Semi-circular shapes, asshown, may help avoid interferences between the pitch mount and yawmount while both rotate about their respective rotation axes withrespect to the frame. This embodiment may provide a virtual center (VC)of rotation of the handle 5403 with respect to the frame 5401. Thisvirtual center of rotation is defined by the intersection of the pitchand yaw axes, as described above.

In operation, the parallel kinematic mechanism shown in FIG. 54 may beoperated by a user grasping and manipulating the handle 5403. Theparallel kinematic mechanism separates and filters out rotation of thehandle 5403 relative to the frame 5401 into yaw and pitch componentsonly at the yaw pulley and pitch pulley, respectively. The yaw componentof rotation of the handle with respect to the frame is transmitted tothe yaw mount 5425 (e.g., yaw ring) via the slider joint 5431, whichtransmits yaw rotation but allows (or filters out) the pitch rotation.This causes the yaw mount 5425 and yaw pulley 5405 to rotate aboutconnector 2 (pivot joint 5413) with respect to the frame 5401. Thus, theyaw pulley 5405, which rotates about yaw axis 5415, only exhibits theyaw component of rotation of the handle relative to the frame. The pitchcomponent of rotation of the handle with respect to the frame istransmitted to the pitch mount 5423 via the slider joint 5421, whichtransmits pitch rotation but allows (or filters out) the yaw rotation.This causes the pitch mount 5423 and pitch pulley 5407 to rotate aboutconnector 1 (pivot joint 5411) with respect to the frame 5401. Thus, thepitch pulley 5407, which rotates about pitch axis 5412, only exhibitsthe pitch component of rotation of the handle relative to the frame. Inthe end, the combined yaw and pitch rotations of the handle 5403 may beseparated into a pure yaw rotation about the yaw axis at the yaw pulley5405 and a pure pitch rotation about the pitch axis at pitch pulley5407.

When used as the input joint/interface of aninstrument/tool/device/machine, the rotations of the pitch and yawpulleys 5407, 5405 about the respective pitch and yaw axes 5412, 5415may be used to transmit the desired pitch and yaw rotations mechanicallyto a remote end effector, or electronically to a computer input device.Compared to a serial kinematic mechanism, in the case of this parallelkinematic mechanism the two axes of rotations 5412 and 5415 are fixedwith respect to the frame. Therefore, rotations about these axes can betransmitted via various mechanical transmission methods/systems that arepractically simple and feasible. These various transmissionmethods/systems all operate with respect to the same ground referenceframe 5401. Thus, any moving components of this transmission system, allhave an axis of rotation or translation or a trajectory of motion thatis fixed with respect to this ground reference frame. That makes thetask of designing and implementing a transmission system from eachindividual axis 5412 or 5415 to some other location on the frame (or anextension of the frame) practically feasible.

In one instance, the rotations produced at the pitch and yaw axispulleys 5407, 5405 may be individually transmitted to a remote endeffector using pitch and yaw transmission cables, respectively. Thisdesign greatly facilitates the capturing and transmission of 2-DoFrotational motion of a handle with respect to a frame; doing so directlyfrom the handle is difficult; instead this design separates out the2-DoF rotation into two 1-DoF rotations; these two rotations may beindividually and independently transmitted relatively easily (usingcables, or gears, or links, or electronically, or pneumatically) becausethey are now well-defined rotations about pitch and yaw rotation axesthat are fixed with respect to the frame.

In the example shown in FIG. 54, the handle 5403 may be freely rotatedabout the roll axis 5445 with respect to the frame 5401. Thus, rollrotation may not be transmitted from handle to frame and vice versa bythis variation.

FIG. 55 shows another variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 54, inwhich the handle 5503 has a geometry (note the square pegs 5550, 5551that are rigidly attached to the handle) such that roll rotation istransmitted from the handle 5503 to intermediate body A 5507 and viceversa via the slider joint 5521 between the two; and from the handle5503 to intermediate body B 5505 and vice versa via the slider joint5531 between the two. In practice, there may be either square peg 5550,or square peg 5551, or both rigidly attached to the handle. Thisvariation is otherwise similar to the variation shown in FIG. 54, andmay operate in the same manner. However, because of either or both ofthe square pegs 5550, 5551, this variation constrains and thereforetransmits roll rotation of the handle 5503 relative to the frame 5401,and vice versa, about a roll axis of rotation.

Although in some of the variations described above, the terms VCmechanism, input mechanism, input joint, and PK mechanisms may be usedinterchangeably, e.g., when used in remote/minimal access instruments,however, this is not necessarily always the case. In general, a VCmechanism need not be PK in design, and not every PK mechanism (and morespecifically any PK mechanism based on the constraint map of FIG. 26)has to provide a VC. Also not every PK or VC mechanism needs to serve asthe input joint. As indicated above, in FIGS. 29A-29C, the mechanism mayserve as the output joint/interface in a certain tools, machines,devices or instruments. The constraint map of FIG. 26 enables separationof a 2 DoF rotation into two individual single DoF rotations about axesthat are fixed with respect to the frame, and conversely enables thecombination of two individual single DoF rotations about axes that arefixed with respect to the frame, into a single 2 DoF rotation of ahandle with respect to the frame. This functionality is a consequence ofthe constraint map and holds irrespective of the VC functionality. Forcertain physical embodiments of the constraint map of FIG. 26, themechanism may also include a virtual center as shown in many variationsabove.

In variations of the PK mechanism apparatuses described above having avirtual center, it may be beneficial to locate the virtual centerprovided by the PK mechanism close to the center of an articulatinghuman joint (e.g. wrist, finger base joint i.e. the metacarpophalangealjoint (MCP), ankle, shoulder, hip, etc.). When interfaced with a humanjoint, the mechanism may be used as an input interface or outputinterface of a tool/machine/device, as shown above. For example, thehandle could interface with a hand or a foot in one of various differentways, and similarly the frame may interface with another part of thehuman body also in many different ways. In the case when the PKmechanisms described above are used in conjunction with a human wristjoint, the handle can interface the user at various locations on thehand and in various ways as shown in FIGS. 29A-29C and in FIGS. 56A-56C.In FIGS. 56A-56C, the virtual center of the mechanism may be kept closeto the center of rotation of the human wrist. Such proximity can help insome applications e.g., by allowing natural and free rotation of thehuman wrist without the mechanism restricting the wrist's natural rangeof motion, but this need not be a strict requirement. Furthermore, theframe may be securely attached the forearm of the user, or may belightly attached via padding material/sponges etc., or may be coupled tothe forearm via a jointed interface, or may not be attached at all.

In any of the examples shown, the two rotational axes of the user'sarticulating joint (e.g. wrist) need not be exactly the same oranalogous as the two rotational axes of the parallel kinematicmechanism/joint. For example consider FIG. 29B, in which the tworotations of the ankle joint may be anatomically defined about the axesA and B, while the two rotational axes of the PK mechanism may be givenby C and D. Note that the two sets may be, but are not necessarily thesame.

In general, the two rotational axes of the PK mechanism and the tworotational axes of the user joint approximately lie in the same plane.For example, in FIG. 29B, it may be seen that axes A, B, C, and D are inthe same plane. As long as this condition is met, the actualconfiguration of the PK mechanism (and its associated rotational axes)may be arbitrary with respect to the user articulation joint (and itsassociated rotation axes). This provides freedom in realizing thedetails of the PK mechanism geometry and construction in a manner thattakes into account practical space constraints around the user'sarticulating joint.

As discussed above, the frame may interface with an appropriate part ofthe human body. For example, if the handle may interface with a hand, asshown in FIG. 56A, and the frame may interface with the forearm. If thehandle interfaces with the foot (FIGS. 29A and 29B), the frame mayinterface with the shin/calf. If the handle interfaces with the arm(FIG. 29C), the frame may interface with the shoulder. The frameinterface may be a secure attachment, or light attachment via paddingmaterial/sponges, or a jointed attachment, etc.

As mentioned above any of the parallel kinematic mechanisms describedherein may be used in combination with any appropriate output. Forexample, an input joint of any of these parallel kinematic mechanismsmay be coupled to an output joint for controlling an end effector. FIG.14A shows one example of an output joint 32 is configured as a flexible,snake-like joint. In this example, the output comprises flexible disks82 attached in a fashion such that the direction of flexure of eachelement alternates. This joint 32 can be actuated by pushing or pullingon the disks 82, causing expansion and contraction of its sides. Cables(not shown) running through each disk 82 of the output joint 32 may beselectively pulled to create deflection in the yaw and pitch rotationdirections or any combination thereof. Alternative joint types thatcould be used include, but are not limited to, inextensible wirescompliant in bending, hourglass flexure, compression/extension springswith constrained torsion, or any other 2-DoF (yaw and pitch) joints. Theoutput joint 32 may be temporarily locked in any desired orientationwith respect to the tool shaft 22.

Instead of being a traditional 2-DoF joint, the output joint 32 may alsobe realized by means of a VC mechanism such as the one illustrated inFIG. 14B, similar to the one used at the input joint 16 described above.Barring space constraints, such a VC mechanism at the output joint 32may provide a center-of-rotation for the end effector 12 that can beconveniently located at any location other than the physical location ofthe output joint 32.

Any of the parallel kinematic mechanisms described herein may also allowor include additional controls for actuating an end effector. Forexample, any of these apparatuses may include one or more controls foractuating the open/close motion of jaws on an end effector. In somevariations, an end effector may be made to grasp via transmission of anactuation from the handle of the apparatus (e.g., by pushing or pullinga button, trigger, lever etc.). Transmission of this control may becombined with the transmission system for the rotational motions (e.g.pitch and yaw) discussed herein, or it may be separate. Furthermore, amechanical, electrical, pneumatic, or any other transmission system maybe used for this control. In one example, a mechanical cable or cablesmay pass from the handle 24 to the end effector 12 for transmitting thiscontrol. For example, in one variation, shown in FIG. 15, an apparatus84 may include a control (lever 81) that may form part of or may bemounted on the handle 24 and may be mechanically coupled to the endeffector 12 for actuating a grasping motion (open/close) of jaws on theend effector 12. For example, a cable 86 may be attached to the lever 81and an associated closure mechanism 84 provided, wherein the cable 86may transmit the grasping motion from the lever 81 and the closuremechanism 84 to jaws (e.g. 96 in FIG. 16) on the end effector 12. Thegrasping transmission system transmits one grasping DoF from the user'sthumb/fingers to a corresponding open/close action (also one DoF) at theend effector 12. In general, the closure mechanism 84 may have more thanone DoF that may be transmitted to the same number of DoF at jaws on theend-effector 12. Since the handle 24 will move along with the user'shand, thumb and fingers during wrist motion, providing the lever 84 andthe closure mechanism 84 on the handle 24 ensures that the input devicefor providing the grasping motion does not move relative to the hand,thumb, and fingers.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, as the user's thumb presses the lever81 of the closure mechanism (handle lever sub-assembly) 84 it rotatesapproximately about axis (a). A flexure element 90, such as a piece ofspring steel, may be used as a one-DoF pivot joint, wherein this jointmay be compliant in nature so as to automatically return to its nominal(undeformed) position. Alternatively, this may be a traditional pivotjoint comprising a pin and a separate return spring (leaf spring or coilspring) can provide the returning to nominal function. This automaticreturn is desirable to ease the motion input requirements for the user'sthumb or fingers. It is understood that any one-DoF joint could be usedfor this actuation, for example, a pin, slider, or push button(compliant or spring-mounted), provided one end is mounted to the handle24 and the other is acted on by the fingers or thumb. Using thumbactuation allows the user to grasp the handle 24 with their fingers andpalm while independently actuating the lever 81. A finger-actuated levercould alternatively be used, depending on size constraints from theshape of the handle 24.

According to one non-limiting aspect of the present invention, theclosure mechanism 84 may include a ratcheting mechanism which allows theuser to lock the lever 81 in different positions. This device may alsouse a compliant one DoF flexure joint 92 as shown in FIG. 15. Theratcheting mechanism is similar to those seen in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,209,747 and 4,950,273, incorporated by reference herein, and maycomprise a toothed body 94 that engages a single tooth on the lever 81in different positions. As the user depresses the lever 81 of the handlelever sub-assembly 84, the toothed body 94 deflects about axis (b) andallows the lever 81 to slip down to the next tooth. When the userreleases the lever 81, it remains at whatever current position it is in.To release the lever 81, the toothed body 94 is simply deflected forwardby the user's thumb causing the ratchet teeth to disengage. Thespringiness of the flexure joint 92 holding the lever 81 causes thelever 81 to go back to its nominal condition. In general, any othervariable closure mechanism may be used instead of the ratchetingmechanism, depending on the specifics of the application. Such amechanism provides the user the ability to hold a grasp (for example, ona tissue) inside the patient's body via the jaws 96 of the end effector12. Alternatively, one can also envision a latching mechanism 84 wherethe level 81 is depressed until it latches and locks in a closedposition. Further depressing this lever would that unlatch or unlock thelever allowing it to return to its nominal position under the action ofabove mentioned return spring.

During operation, the handle 24 moves along with the user's hand andwrist, such that the distance between the user input (i.e. handle) andthe tool output (i.e. tool frame, tool shaft, end effector, etc.) isvariable. Because each user input motion should be independent for thedesired tool functionality, a transmission means that allows for avariable distance and orientation between components, particularly thetool handle and tool frame, is generally desirable. In FIG. 15, relativemotion between the cable 86 and a sheath or cable housing (not shown)may be used for actuation. The cable 86 may attach to the end effector12, pass through the tool shaft 22, pass through the sheath to thefloating plate 26 of the VC mechanism 16, pass through the handle 24,and then attach to the lever 84. The sheath or cable housing may beconnected between the tool frame 18 and the plate 26 (or equivalentlyhandle 24). Between the tool frame 18 and the plate 26, there may beslack in the sheath to ensure that the motion of the plate 26/handle 24(e.g. pitch and yaw rotations with respect to the frame) is notconstrained by the sheath. When the floating plate 26 moves in responseto user wrist actuation, the amount of slack in the sheath will changebut there will be no relative motion between the cable 86 and thesheath. This arrangement is similar to that of a brake cable andassociated sheath on a bicycle.

The sheath through which the transmission cable 86 runs between the toolframe 18 and floating plate 26 can be any type of hollow body that isflexible in bending. According to one non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the sheath may include a flexible coiled spring or nylontubing that provides enough flexibility in bending, but has a highstiffness under compression. Another example of this sheath would be aBowden cable sheath. This stiffness ensures that the relative motionbetween the cable 86 and the sheath dominate during tension in thetransmission cable 86. When the cable 86 is pulled through the sheath,the cable 86 acts the same regardless of the shape of the sheath. Withslack introduced in the sheath, the cable 86 can be straightened or bentor deformed by a certain amount, without the grasping actuation force inthe cable 86 being affected. This cable and sheath system may beimplemented in various ways, but ultimately should allow for a variabledistance between the tool frame 18 and the floating plate 26 of the VCmechanism 16. It should be noted that such a cable and sheatharrangement may be used not only for the grasping action transmission,but also for the transmission of the wrist rotations from the inputjoint 16 to the output joint 32. For example, separate sheaths could beemployed for two pitch transmission cables, two yaw cables, and one ortwo grasping actuation cable.

As described above, the end effector 12 may reproduce the user's actionsin vivo. The end effector 12 can be any number of one DoF devices, suchas scissors, shears, needle drivers, dissectors, graspers, orretractors. These end effectors 12 may be compliant or rigid, and mayhave active and passive components (depending on the motion transmissionsystem). With reference to FIG. 16, the embodiment shown includes acompliant grasping mechanism that is at equilibrium in the open (orgrasp-release) position. When the center of this grasper is pulledaxially backwards, the jaws 96 of the end effector 12 close inward. Inaddition to grasping, the jaws 96 may have other functionality such as,but not limited to, cutting or cauterizing of tissue.

With reference now to FIG. 17, transmission between the input joint 16and the output joint 32 may be accomplished via a pulley and cablesystem for each of the two rotational DoF, pitch and yaw, as describedwith respect to several embodiments above. The design may incorporate amechanism to scale the user's input rotation (0) reflected at an inputpulley 98 (corresponding to either of the pulleys 78 or 80 in FIGS. 12and 13) to the tool output joint rotation (4) at an output pulley 100 bysome transmission ratio T, thereby providing a variable transmissionratio between the tool input (user's hand rotation about his/her wrist)and tool output (end effector 12 rotation about the output joint 32).This transmission ratio T may be fixed, may be changed in discretesteps, or may be changed continuously. Any fixed transmission ratio maybe achieved by choosing appropriate radii for the input and outputpulleys 98, 100. Alternatively, instead of input and output pulleys, onemay have other components such as gears, linkages, levers, etc. and avariable transmission ratio between the input pitch and yaw rotationsand corresponding pitch and yaw rotations is still relevant. Adiscretely variable transmission ratio may be accomplished by means of astepped configuration of the input and output pulleys 98, 100 such asthat shown in FIG. 17, and a shifting mechanism (not shown) that allowsa user to change between ratios. This shifting mechanism may be similarto the shifting mechanism for variable gears on a bicycle.Alternatively, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) may beemployed which allows the user to select an arbitrary ratio betweeninput and output rotations, as shown in FIG. 18. Such a CVT may beimplemented by an intermediate module 102 such as, but not limited to, aV-Belt or toroidal arrangement, wherein a generic CVT arrangement isshown in FIG. 18. Although the CVT embodiment is illustrated in anarrangement that utilizes input and output pulleys 98, 100, it isunderstood that pulleys 98, 100 are not required for the implementationof a CVT in accordance with the present invention.

Turning next to FIG. 19, a tool 10 according to the present inventionmay incorporate an end effector 12 and output joint 32 that decouple theactuation of the pitch and yaw DoF at the tool output. As describedabove, the tool output comprises an end effector 12 and a 2-DoFrotational output joint 32 about which the end effector 12 can rotate.The actuation of three motions (two wrist-like rotations of the endeffector 12 about the output joint 32, and one open/close motion of theend effector jaws 96) are decoupled in this embodiment. These threemotions are actuated at the input joint 16 by means of the user's handrotation about his/her wrist, accomplished naturally via the VCmechanism 16, and an end effector actuation mechanism (e.g., such as theclosure mechanism 84 shown in FIG. 15 or any other end effector)provided at the tool input, respectively.

Pin-based joints can achieve large rotations in very small spaces, buttheir mechanical implementation can result in the coupling of rotationsin cascaded arrangements. In such prior art configurations, the pitchrotation of the tool is implemented after the yaw rotation and, as aresult, the transmission cable actuation to produce a desired pitchdepends on the current yaw angle. This is referred to as end effectormotion coupling and results in non-intuitive tool output behavior. Inthe embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 19, the outputjoint 32 includes a pair of nested rings 104, 106. The outer ring 104may be connected by a pin joint to the tool shaft 22, and is actuated bya pair of cables (not shown) which may be attached to the outer ring 104generally at the location of the pitch axis and which produce a rotationabout the yaw axis. The inner ring 106 is pinned to the outer ring 104so that the pitch axis is orthogonal to the yaw axis. The inner ring 106is also driven by a pair of drive cables (not shown) which may beattached to the inner ring 106 at generally the same height as the outerring 104 and generally at the location of the yaw axis. The two jointscreate a center of rotation acting at the intersection of the pitch andyaw axes. This arrangement prevents motion coupling by co-locating thetwo joint axes in an arrangement that would not be feasible withtraditional cascaded, pin-based joints. This end effector 12 and outputjoint 32 design allows the tool 10 according to the present invention tobe operated with a smaller radius of curvature, thus providing a tighterworkspace which is desirable for the surgeon (user). This output joint32 also fully separates the pitch and yaw motions to allow forcompletely independent motions, thus keeping the rotations mechanicallydecoupled.

With reference to FIG. 20, the tool shaft 22 may be easily replaceablewhile the frame 18 remains attached to the user's arm. This featureallows the user to quickly replace the tool shaft 22 and end effector 12without having to remove the entire tool 10 from his or her arm. A cablejunction 108 may be provided at the connection point between the toolshaft 22 and the frame 18. Alternatively, a junction 108 may beintroduced at the base of the tool frame 18, such that one part of theframe 18 that supports to the tool input remains attached to the user'sforearm via the arm attachment member 20, while the rest of the frame 18along with the tool shaft 22 is replaceable. In either of these twocases, to release and reconnect the tool shaft 22 from/to the frame 18,transmission cable connections must be severed and reconnected whilemaintaining sufficient cable tension to allow effective input-outputmotion transmission. These links could be established by a quick releasemechanism 110 such as, but not limited to, a snap-fitting mechanism,magnetic coupling, or some other method of temporarily joining andreleasing two tensile members. This link can be severed and reattachedas desired during a surgery to allow the user to switch tool shafts 22without having to change or remove the arm attachment member 20.

The tool 10 according to the present invention may result insignificantly reduced forces at the surgical port, which in turn reducesskin/tissue trauma for the patient. In MIS tools currently on themarket, placement of the tool input joint between the handle and thetool shaft makes the actuation of the tool dependent on the presence ofan external ground reference, which can provide reaction loads, or inother words, close the load loop. The user applies a torque at the toolhandle, and the surgical port acts as the external ground reference toprovide the balancing loads necessary to allow the handle to tipdownwards, which then tips the end effector downwards. The load loop, inthis case, comprises the tool handle, tool shaft, surgical port,patient's body, the bed that the patient's body rests on, the groundthat supports the bed, the ground that the surgeon (user) stands on, thesurgeon's body, the surgeon's forearm, and the surgeon's hand that gripsthe tool handle—in that order. As such, all the tool actuation loadsduring articulation of input and output joints necessarily flow throughthe surgical port and patient's body. These loads are particularlydetrimental to the skin and tissue surrounding the surgical port, in thecase of young or elderly patients.

In contrast, the tool 10 according to the present invention provides acommon ground frame 18 that bridges the tool shaft 22 and the user'sforearm. Employing the user's forearm as a ground reference locallycloses the load loop associated with the wrist DoF actuation forces.Here, the load loop comprises the handle 24, the input joint or VCmechanism 16, the frame 18, the arm attachment member 20, and the user'sarm and hand. Contrary to existing hand-held tools, this entirelyeliminates the need for an external ground reference, such as thesurgical port and patient's body, to provide reaction loads.

Lastly, with reference to FIG. 21, instead of the frame 18 beingattached to the user's forearm, the frame 18 may be mounted on a bedframe or other structure 112 external to the user's body via aninterface mechanism 114 connected there between which may help supportthe weight of the tool 10. This interface mechanism 114 may generallyprovide 6 DoF between the external structure 112 and the frame 18 toavoid over-constraining or limiting the motion of the tool 10. Thesurgeon (user) can then place his/her arm into the arm attachment member20 and guide the tool 10 as described above while the external structure112 supports the weight of the tool 10.

While the articulation of an end effector 12, connected to the distalend of tool shafted via an output joint, using an input joint that mayinclude a VC mechanism 16 is described above, in another application, asimilar VC mechanism-based input joint may be used to articulate the tipof an endoscopic device. Such an arrangement would provide the user withan intuitive and ergonomic means for guiding the endoscopic deviceinside a patient's body.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe allpossible forms of the invention. It is understood that the features ofvarious implementing embodiments may be combined to form furtherembodiments of the invention. The words used in the specification arewords of description rather than limitation, and it is understood thatvarious changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

The PK mechanisms described above generally include two rotationaldegrees of freedom (generically, rotation 1 and rotation 2; or morespecifically pitch and yaw). The nature of these PK mechanisms derivedfrom the constraint map of FIG. 26 such that these two rotations arepresent with respect to a frame that may serve as the ground referencein a tool, device, machine, instrument, robot, etc. In any of theseapplications, there is often the practical need to transmit theserotations from or to the PK mechanism. For example, when the mechanismserves as an input interface, as discussed above, there may be a need totransmit the rotations from the mechanism to another point of interest.The latter could be a remote end effector, or inputs to a computerinterface e.g. XY coordinates on a computer screen, or pitch and rollcoordinates in a gaming system, etc. When the mechanism serves as anoutput interface (e.g., as described above for FIGS. 29A and 29B), thereis a need to transmit rotations (and associated torques) to themechanism from other points of interest (generally manual or poweredactuators). Thus, the PK mechanisms presented here may generally be usedalong with a transmission system, as discussed above. This transmissionsystem could be mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and/orwireless. Some representative examples are shown using the PK mechanismembodiments in FIG. 1 (and embodiment 1) discussed above. Describedherein are examples of transmission systems that may be used inconjunction with PK mechanisms based on the constraint map of FIG. 26.The unique attribute of any PK mechanism based on this constrain maps isthat it presents the two rotations separated out as two individualrotations, pitch only and yaw only, about respective axes that are fixedwith respect to the frame. These individual rotations can then beindividually transmitted from the respective pulleys to other locationson the frame of the overall device/instrument/tool or vice versa.

FIG. 57A illustrates a cable or pulley based transmission. Although FIG.57A shows a simple cable-pulley transmission system for each rotation,it should be understood that the cable/pulley transmission system can befairly sophisticated and be routed via complex paths to transmitrotations of the two pulleys in the PK mechanism to correspondingmotions at a remote location on the frame. Transmission cables, pitchcable 5701 and yaw cable 5703 separately transmit pitch and yawrotations from the mechanism. Similarly, FIG. 57B illustrates abelt/pulley based transmission that is similar to the previous case, butincludes a pair of belts 5705, 5707 that transfer the pitch and yawrotations separately. The belts may be rubber belts, timing belts, metalbelts, or metal links based chain, etc. Although FIG. 57B shows a simplebelt-pulley transmission system for each rotation, it should beunderstood that the belt-pulley transmission system can be fairlysophisticated and be routed via complex paths to transmit rotations ofthe two pulleys in the mechanism to corresponding motions at a remotelocation on the frame.

A gear-train based transmission may also be used, as illustrated in FIG.58. Although FIG. 58 shows a simple gear-train based transmission systemfor each rotation, it should be understood that the gearing can befairly sophisticated (e.g. be in the form of a gearbox) and be packagedalong complex paths to transmit rotations of the two pulleys in themechanism to corresponding motions at a remote location on the frame.Any of the transmission systems described herein (e.g., pulley, belt,gear, hydraulic, etc.) may be combined. For example, one can envision atransmission system that transmit the yaw and pitch rotations of themechanism via separate transmission paths, each path comprising pulleys,belts, gears, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, wireless etc.

FIG. 59 illustrates a linkage mechanism based transmission. In FIG. 59,the linkage is a simple four bar mechanism based transmission system foreach rotation. It should be understood that the linkage can be fairlysophisticated (e.g. six bar, eight bar mechanisms, etc.) and be packagedalong complex paths to transmit rotations of the two pulleys in themechanism to corresponding motions at a remote location on the frame.

The variation in FIG. 60 shows a pneumatic/hydraulic transmission. InFIG. 60, the transmission is a simple configuration where each rotationof the PK mechanism is converted into fluid pressure via a cylinder.This fluid flow (in case of hydraulics) or pressure (in case ofpneumatics) can be transmitted to any location via hoses/pipes etc. Thefluid flow/pressure thus transmitted can be used to recreate/regenerateforce and/or motion at a remote location. This is simply onerepresentative example of how fluid based transmission may be used. Itis noted that the illustrated system is actually a combination ofhydraulic/pneumatic transmission elements and linkage based transmissionbecause a linkage is used in this example to convert the rotationalmotion of the mechanism (at Link 1 6005, for example) to translationmotion at a piston-cylinder that is used to generate fluid flow orpressure.

FIG. 61 illustrates an example of a flexible torsional shaft basedtransmission. In this example, each rotation of the mechanism (i.e. ofthe pitch and yaw pulley with respect to the frame) is individuallytransmitted to corresponding pulleys located elsewhere on the frame. Theflexible torsional shaft here is similar to that discussed above inrelation to FIG. 53. The torsional shaft can easily bend (within certainlimits dictated by its construction) while maintaining high torsionalstiffness about its center axis even after bending. The latter helpstransmit rotational motions about the center axis of the flexible shaft.FIGS. 62A and 62B illustrate examples of construction of the flexibletorsional shaft.

FIG. 63 shows another example of a torsional shaft transmission systemused along with a PK mechanism.

FIG. 64 shows a similar transmission concept with a slightly differentframe geometry. Here the frame has an extended shape and geometry toconvey the fact that the frame can be of any arbitrary size and shape.The flexible torsional shafts simply need to be long enough to reach theappropriate point of interest on the frame, where the rotations from thePK mechanism are to be transmitted (or vice versa). Similarly, FIGS. 65Aand 65B illustrate examples of the construction of flexible torsionalshafts, and this transmission system is also illustrated in FIGS. 66 and67. FIG. 67 shows an embodiment of a PK mechanism with constructiondetails 6705 of the flexible torsional shaft shown. In this example, theflexible torsional shaft is shown with a partial sectional view 6705that includes the flexible shaft as well as a sheath that covers theshaft. Such cover may provide protection against debris etc., ensurethat the flexible shaft itself does not pinch or damage any othercomponent that it comes in contact with, and provide support to theflexible shaft so that it can transfer torque and rotational motion moreeffectively.

One attribute of the flexible torsional shaft based transmission is thatthe frame itself does not have to be rigid. Even if the frame isadjustable in shape, the flexible torsional shafts simply bend and takea new shape from one location on the frame to another location on theframe, all the while transmitting rotations about its center axis. Thiscan be of practical use in an application where it is desirable to keepthe frame itself flexible/adjustable, rather than completely rigid.Examples of flexible/adjustable frames include frames that can bebent/adjusted into any desired shape, and retain their shape due to,e.g., friction at joints along the length of this construction.

FIG. 68 illustrates and example of an electrical transmission that maybe used. In FIG. 68 the pitch and yaw pulleys of the mechanism (moregenerically, intermediate bodies A and B, respectively) are coupled withelectrical transducers 6805, 6801 such as actuators (motor, etc.) orsensors (optical encoders, potentiometers, etc.). The transducer mayhave a housing/stator and a rotor, and a pivot joint axis between therotor and stator. In the transmission of FIG. 68, the rotor of thetransducer is rigidly attached to the first end of the transmissionstrip while the stator of the transducer is rigidly attached to theframe (therefore the rotor and first end of the transmission strip areequivalent to a single rigid body and the stator and frame areequivalent to another rigid body). If the transducer is a sensor, thenany rotation of the first end of the transmission strip (or equivalentlyintermediate bodies A or B) with respect to the frame gets convertedinto an electrical signal. This electrical signal may then betransmitted via wires or wirelessly to a computer or electrical system,where this signal may be used to control a human interface device suchas mouse or to control a gaming system etc., or these signals can serveas the inputs to a computer controlled robotic system. For example, thePK mechanism may become part of a joy-stick.

Alternatively, the electrical transducer may be a motor that transmitstorques and rotations to the PK mechanism, an example of this was shownin FIGS. 29A and 29B.

Note that instead of rotary transducers as shown in FIG. 68, one couldfirst employ a linkage mechanism such as show in FIGS. 59 and 60 toconvert rotary motion into translation motion between thepiston/cylinder, and then employ a translational transducer with thepiston cylinder.

Although the transmission systems described above are shown inconjunction with the exemplary PK mechanism of FIGS. 12 and 13, thesetransmission methods are equally relevant to all other embodiments ofthe PK mechanism described here, and generally with respect to thoseencompassed by the constraint map of FIG. 26. Further, although varioustransmission systems are presented separately, combination of thesetransmission systems may be used, such as “gearing system withelectrical sensors” or “linkage mechanisms with cable/pulley drive”,etc.

FIGS. 69A and 69B illustrate exemplary minimal access surgical toolsincluding an end effector that is controlled using a parallel kinematic(PK) mechanism apparatuses based on a constraint map focusing onarticulation motion (i.e. two orthogonal rotations) in which there areat least two independent and parallel paths between a frame and ahandle. The first path includes a first intermediate body that isconnected to the frame by a first connector and to the handle by a thirdconnector. The second path includes a second intermediate body that isconnected to the handle by a second connector and to the handle by afourth connector. The first connector and the fourth connector are bothcompliant (allow rotation) in a first rotational direction and stiff(restrict rotation) in a second rotational direction. The second andthird connectors allow rotation in the second rotational direction andrestrict rotation in the first rotational direction. In some variations,the first and second rotational directions may be orthogonal to eachother (e.g., the first rotational direction may be pitch and the secondrotational direction yaw), but do not have to be. For example, the anglebetween these rotational directions may be between 30 and 150 degrees.

In this example, the PK mechanism of the apparatus includes a virtualcenter of rotation, but it does not have to. In FIGS. 69A and 69B, thevirtual center (VC) is configured to be positioned at the user's wristjoint when the user's hand holds the handle and forearm interfaces withthe arm attachment member of the frame.

FIGS. 70, 71A and 71B illustrate two additional exemplary minimal accesssurgical tools including an end effector that is controlled using aparallel kinematic (PK) mechanism apparatuses based on a constraint mapfocusing on articulation motion. Each of these variations includes a PKmechanism consistent with the constraint map of FIG. 26 that is similarto that shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 as discussed above.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” anotherfeature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or elementor intervening features and/or elements may also be present. Incontrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directlyon” another feature or element, there are no intervening features orelements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” toanother feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached orcoupled to the other feature or element or intervening features orelements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are nointervening features or elements present. Although described or shownwith respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so describedor shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature thatis disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap orunderlie the adjacent feature.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may beabbreviated as “/”.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in thefigures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements orfeatures. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both anorientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms“upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are usedherein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describevarious features/elements (including steps), these features/elementsshould not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicatesotherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/elementfrom another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussedbelow could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a secondfeature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/elementwithout departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as“comprises” and “comprising” means various components can be co-jointlyemployed in the methods and articles (e.g., compositions and apparatusesincluding device and methods). For example, the term “comprising” willbe understood to imply the inclusion of any stated elements or steps butnot the exclusion of any other elements or steps.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in theexamples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may beread as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if theterm does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately”may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate thatthe value and/or position described is within a reasonable expectedrange of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may havea value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1%of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (orrange of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10%of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical valuesgiven herein should also be understood to include about or approximatelythat value, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, if thevalue “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. Anynumerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-rangessubsumed therein. It is also understood that when a value is disclosedthat “less than or equal to” the value, “greater than or equal to thevalue” and possible ranges between values are also disclosed, asappropriately understood by the skilled artisan. For example, if thevalue “X” is disclosed the “less than or equal to X” as well as “greaterthan or equal to X” (e.g., where X is a numerical value) is alsodisclosed. It is also understood that the throughout the application,data is provided in a number of different formats, and that this data,represents endpoints and starting points, and ranges for any combinationof the data points. For example, if a particular data point “10” and aparticular data point “15” are disclosed, it is understood that greaterthan, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, andequal to 10 and 15 are considered disclosed as well as between 10 and15. It is also understood that each unit between two particular unitsare also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11,12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of anumber of changes may be made to various embodiments without departingfrom the scope of the invention as described by the claims. For example,the order in which various described method steps are performed mayoften be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternativeembodiments one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optionalfeatures of various device and system embodiments may be included insome embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing descriptionis provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the invention as it is set forth inthe claims.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way ofillustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may beutilized and derived there from, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter maybe referred to herein individually or collectively by the term“invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarilylimit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventiveconcept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, althoughspecific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A parallel kinematic (PK) mechanism having atleast pitch and yaw rotational degrees of freedom between a handle and aframe, the PK mechanism comprising: a frame; a handle; an input jointhaving at least two independent paths for transmission of motioncoupling the handle to the frame, wherein the at least two independentpaths comprise a first path and a second path; a first intermediate bodyin the first path that is connected to the frame by a first connectorcomprising a first pivot joint and to the handle by a third connectorcomprising a third pivot joint; a second intermediate body in the secondpath that is connected to the frame by a second connector comprising asecond pivot joint, and to the handle by a fourth connector, wherein thefourth connector comprises a flexible torsion shaft; wherein the firstconnector and the fourth connector both allow rotation in a pitchrotational direction and restrict rotation in a yaw rotationaldirection; further wherein the second and third connectors allowrotation in the yaw rotational direction and restrict rotation in thepitch rotational direction.
 2. The parallel kinematic mechanism of claim1, wherein the flexible torsional shaft transmits rotation about itscenter axis, which corresponds to the yaw direction, while remainingcompliant in bending in the pitch rotational direction.
 3. The parallelkinematic mechanism of claim 1, wherein the flexible torsional shaft isrigidly connected to the handle at a first end of the flexible torsionalshaft, and rigidly connected to the second intermediate body at a secondend of the flexible torsional shaft.
 4. The parallel kinematic mechanismof claim 1, wherein the first and second intermediate bodies comprisespulleys.
 5. The parallel kinematic mechanism of claim 1, wherein thefirst path constrains rotation about a roll axis that is orthogonal toboth the pitch and yaw axes.
 6. A parallel kinematic (PK) mechanismhaving at least pitch and yaw rotational degrees of freedom between ahandle and a frame comprising: a frame; a handle; an input joint havingat least two independent paths for transmission of motion coupling thehandle to the frame, wherein the at least two independent paths comprisea first path and a second path; a first intermediate body comprising apitch mount in the first path that is connected to the frame by a firstconnector comprising a pivot joint and to the handle by a thirdconnector comprising a first slider joint; a second intermediate bodycomprising a yaw mount in the second path that is connected to the frameby a second connector comprising a pivot joint and to the handle by afourth connector comprising a second slider joint; wherein the firstconnector and the fourth connector both allow rotation in a pitchrotational direction and restrict rotation in a yaw rotationaldirection, and wherein the second connector and the third connector bothallow rotation in the yaw rotational direction and restrict rotation inthe pitch rotational direction, further wherein the first slider jointand the second slider joint allow the handle or the member rigidlyextending from the handle to translate along a roll axis that isorthogonal to both the pitch and yaw axes.
 7. The parallel kinematicmechanism of claim 6, wherein the first intermediate body comprises apulley rigidly coupled to the pitch mount and wherein the secondintermediate body comprises a yaw pulley rigidly coupled to the yawmount.
 8. The parallel kinematic mechanism of claim 6, wherein the pitchmount of the first intermediate body comprises a first slot forming thefirst slider joint within which the handle or member rigidly extendingfrom the handle may slide; and further wherein the yaw mount of thesecond intermediate body comprise a second slot forming the secondslider joint within which the handle or the member rigidly extendingfrom the handle may slide.
 9. The parallel kinematic mechanism of claim6, further wherein the handle or the member rigidly extending from thehandle is constrained from rotating within the first and second sliderjoint about a roll axis that is orthogonal to both the pitch and yawaxes.
 10. A parallel kinematic (PK) mechanism having at least pitch andyaw rotational degrees of freedom between a handle and a framecomprising: a frame; a handle; an input joint having at least twoindependent paths for transmission of motion coupling the handle to theframe, wherein the at least two independent paths comprise a first pathand a second path; a first intermediate body comprising a pitch mount inthe first path that is connected to the frame by a first connectorcomprising a pivot joint and to the handle by a third connectorcomprising a first slider joint; a second intermediate body comprising ayaw mount in the second path that is connected to the frame by a secondconnector comprising a pivot joint and to the handle by a fourthconnector comprising a second slider joint; wherein the first connectorand the fourth connector both allow rotation in a pitch rotationaldirection and restrict rotation in a yaw rotational direction, andwherein the second connector and the third connector boht allow rotationin the yaw rotational direction and restrict rotation in the pitchrotational direction, further wherein the handle or the member rigidlyextending from the handle is constrained from rotating within the firstand second slider joint about a roll axis that is orthogonal to both thepitch and yaw axes
 11. The parallel kinematic mechanism of claim 10,wherein the first intermediate body comprises a pulley rigidly coupledto the pitch mount and wherein the second intermediate body comprises ayaw pulley rigidly coupled to the yaw mount.
 12. The parallel kinematicmechanism of claim 10, wherein the pitch mount of the first intermediatebody comprises a first slot forming the first slider joint within whichthe handle or member rigidly extending from the handle may slide; andfurther wherein the yaw mount of the second intermediate body comprise asecond slot forming the second slider joint within which the handle orthe member rigidly extending from the handle may slide.